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What is Blue Light?

Light is made up of particles that travel in wavelengths measured as nanometers (nm). Blue light is the wavelength of light between 400-495 nm. Blue light is just one of the colours on the light spectrum, as shown below. Blue light is deemed as "good" or "bad" for our health based upon the source of light (natural vs artificial), as well as the amount and timing of exposure. 

Artificial Blue Light Blue light is the primary spectrum of light emitted from screens and artificial lighting. In today’s day and age, that means we get exposed to an awful lot of it. The problem arises when we consider the powerful effect blue light has on our sleep-wake cycles, also known as our Circadian Rhythm. The isolated spike of blue light (see LED spectrum below) emitted from artificial light is foreign to our bodies and has been thoroughly researched and well documented to have negative effects on our health.

Natural Blue Light Blue light is present in nature during the morning and mid-day when the sun is up. The blue light emitted by the sun is essential for regulating our circadian rhythms, but as you can see, it is always balanced by other wavelengths of light (see sunlight spectrum below). Blue light emitted through screens and most artificial lighting lacks the ideal balance provided by nature. After the sun sets, we should have little to no exposure to blue light. But in today's society, the opposite is true as more and more people are on devices and exposed to artificial light at night.

LEDs emit a large spike of artificial blue light unbalanced by other colours. Sunlight emits the full spectrum of light, including blue, in balanced proportions for our biology.

The Dark Side of Blue Light

You can think of artificial blue light as "junk light." Since humans evolved for hundreds of thousands of years without artificial light, this unnatural light is incompatible with our biology and contributes to a host of health issues. Our exposure is increasing at a rapid rate and a growing field of research has linked blue light to a number of health issues. 

Excess blue light can directly damage your eyes causing eye strain, screen fatigue, headaches, retinal damage and may contribute to the development of more serious eye problems. 

More importantly, artificial blue light (especially at night) disrupts your circadian rhythm AKA your internal body clock or sleep-wake cycle. When the sun sets, darkness triggers the release of your master sleep hormone melatonin. Blue light at night suppresses the release of melatonin robbing your body of deep and restorative sleep. This combo of circadian disruption and poor sleep contributes to nearly every chronic disease. 

Humans are the only species smart enough to create artificial light and stupid enough to live under it. Dr. Jack Kruse, Neurosurgeon and Quantum Biology Expert

Beat the Blues with NaturoBlocks

NaturoBlocks are designed by health professionals based on the science of photobiology (how light affects our biology). We use lenses that have been scientifically verified to block out the correct spectrum and amount of blue light to protect you from the damaging effects of technology. 

The majority of "blue blocking glasses" on the market are ineffective for two reasons:

1. They block a very small amount of blue light: 3-9% on average.

2. They fail to block the damaging spectrum of blue light that is actually emitted from screens and digital devices.

In other words they do not block ENOUGH blue and they block the WRONG type of blue. If the lens is totally clear, it's not doing much to protect you. 

Daytime vs Nighttime Glasses

Daytime Energy Glasses Our Daytime Energy Glasses are designed to block out 88% of the harmful blue light spectrum (400-460nm) while blocking 60% of blue light at 455nm which is the primary damaging wavelength emitted by digital devices and LEDs. NaturoBlocks are able to achieve this with minimal colour distortion. If you spend your days in front of screens or under artificial lighting, these are the lenses for you!   Why Not Block 100%? Great question! During the day, blue light from the sun is a crucial signal to regulate your circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle). The best strategy is to block as much of the damaging blue light as possible while still allowing some exposure to keep you alert, energized, and focused throughout the day.   How to Use Them Wear your daytime glasses whenever you are inside looking at a screen or under artificial light . Never wear blue blocking glasses outside during the day as blue light from the sun is crucial for our health. NaturoBlocks Daytime Energy Glasses can be used at night but will be less effective than the Nighttime Sleep Glasses.

Nighttime Sleep Glasses (Available For Pre-Order!) Our Nighttime Sleep Glasses block 100% of blue light (400-500nm) and 99% up to 550nm. This means they block the entire blue and part of the green spectrum. This is crucial because exposure to light within this spectrum after dark  suppresses the release of melatonin, our most important sleep hormone! This allows you to use technology safely at night.   How to Use Them After the sun sets, put on your Nighttime Sleep Glasses if you are going to be exposed to ANY type of artificial light until you go to sleep. These should also be used in the morning if you're exposed to artificial blue light before the sun rises. These glasses can be used outside at night to avoid blue light such as street and car lights but avoid wearing them while driving (Daytime Energy Glasses are a safer option).