What color light releases melatonin?

Author: Clinton Johns  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Research studies discovered red to be the best color light to help you sleep, because it increases production of melatonin as well as full darkness. On the other end of the spectrum, blue is the worst.

What light color is best for sleep?

The best night light colors for sleep are red and amber, as they are warm and soothing colors that promote a good night's sleep. It's thought that colors close to red on the light spectrum stimulate melatonin production.

What is the best color to fall asleep to?

Blue is a calming color and calm is conducive to sleep. More than that, your brain is especially receptive to the color blue, thanks to special receptors in your retinas called ganglion cells. Even purple ,violet,are also good.

Does green light block melatonin?

Humans are particularly sensitive to green light, and melatonin output is more readily suppressed by this hue. A pilot study using different green light regimens showed that sleep-deprived subjects well tolerated 2,000 lux green light given 10 min hourly, and that this dose reduced nighttime melatonin output.

What color light is best for waking up?

Blue-toned light suppresses melatonin, which can help you wake up faster. Gradually brightening lights can help boost your mood.

Here's What Blue Light Actually Does To Your Body

Is blue light bad for melatonin?

Light therapy, and blue light in particular. View Source , can help realign the body's circadian rhythms and improve sleep. Inversely, exposure to blue light in the hours leading up to bedtime can hinder sleep. Blue light suppresses the body's release of melatonin.

What's the most calming light color?

Red light. Red light is by far the best calming light color for sleep. Choosing a red light as a nightlight ensures that you don't disrupt your circadian rhythm. So switching to a red light a few hours before going to bed will surely help you fall asleep easier.

Is purple LED light good for sleep?

The worst colors for sleep are: Blue light: Suppresses melatonin production and pushes back your circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep. Green light and violet light: May disrupt sleep, but more research is needed. Any light at night: Can keep you up and be harmful to your health.

What color wakes you up?

'Bright shades of yellow and orange are great for helping wake you up in the morning because they are both attention-grabbing, cheerful, and energizing colors that stimulate the brain and make us feel more alert,' explains Vanessa Osorio, a sleep expert and sleep health content specialist at Sleepopolis.

How to fall asleep quickly?

How to fall asleep faster and sleep better
  1. Have good sleep routine (sleep hygiene)
  2. Relax, unwind and try meditation to help you sleep.
  3. Try mindfulness for sleep.
  4. Create the right sleep environment.
  5. Do not force sleep.
  6. Improve sleep through diet and exercise.

What color light is best for anxiety?

Blue is renowned for its calming properties. It's often used to reduce stress and anxiety, create a sense of tranquility, and aid in sleep. Blue light therapy is often used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and lighter shades of blue can be beneficial in bedrooms.

What color light is best for sleep?

“For a better sleep, keep your room dark, but if you need light, choose warm colors like red or amber. Avoid blue light from electronic devices as it can trick your brain into thinking it's still daytime and disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.”

What is the healthiest LED light color?

In that case, remember that the main issue with LED and our eyes are the blue color wavelength spike in the visible light spectrum of LED bulbs. Therefore, the best color temperature LED for your eyes is anything in the warm white color temperature range (2700-3000K).

What color makes you happy?

Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing and calming.

What color promotes restful sleep?

One study by Travelodge found that households that have blue bedrooms received the best night's sleep compared to any other color. Having blue in your room can make you feel safe, relaxed, and calm. As a result, it's one of the best bedroom colors for sleep.

What color helps the brain sleep?

You will probably be surprised by the answer: the best color light for helping you sleep is red. Especially an orange-sunset red, warm and rich and extremely calming.

What color helps you stay awake?

Some colors, such as reds, are naturally more stimulating than others, triggering the hypothalamus region of the brain to produce more cortisol, which can keep you awake. Conversely, non-stimulating colors, like blues, trigger the brain to produce more melatonin, which helps you to fall asleep.

What color suppresses melatonin?

Exposing the eyes to blue light (or white light, which includes blue light) during the sensitive periods triggers photoreceptors in the retina to send a signal to suppress melatonin and shift circadian rhythms.

Why shouldn't you sleep with blue LED lights on?

More so than any other color, blue light messes with your body's ability to prepare for sleep because it blocks a hormone called melatonin that makes you sleepy. Bottom line: You're less drowsy than usual at night, and it takes you longer to fall asleep.

What is the most relaxing color light?

Red light is by far the best calming light color for sleep. Choosing a red light as a nightlight ensures that you don't disrupt your circadian rhythm. So switching to a red light a few hours before going to bed will surely help you fall asleep easier.

What does a red light in a bedroom mean?

Using red lights before going to bed helps reduce sleep inertia- You know the groggy feeling you get when you wake up. It can take you some time before you're fully alert. A 2019 study showed that saturated red light administered through closed eyelids may help ease sleep inertia when you wake up.

What color light is best for headaches?

Green light, according to current research, showcases promising results for people who suffer from chronic pain and migraines. Exposure to green lights seems to reduce the severity of their symptoms and the frequency of episodes.

Previous article
Do Cutco Knives go dull?
Next article
How much psi can a garden hose handle?