In new research from the University of Washington in Seattle, a novel LED light that emits alternating wavelengths of orange and blue outpaced two other light devices in advancing melatonin levels in a small group of study participants. 

Published in the Journal of Biological Rhythms, the finding appears to establish a new benchmark in humans’ ability to influence their circadian rhythms, and reflects an effective new approach to counteract seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 

A raft of health and mood problems have been attributed to out-of-sync circadian rhythms. Such asynchrony is encouraged by seasonal changes, a lack of exposure to natural light, graveyard-shift jobs and flights across multiple time zones.  

Read full news release on the UW Medicine Newsroom webpage.

Co-authors of this paper include Biology professor Horacio de la Iglesia, and former members of the de la Iglesia lab: Alexandra Neitz, Alicia Rice, and Leandro Casiraghi.