Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 520280935 series 3493259
Content provided by Mark Pettus MD and John Bagnulo PhD, MPH, Mark Pettus MD, John Bagnulo PhD, and MPH. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Mark Pettus MD and John Bagnulo PhD, MPH, Mark Pettus MD, John Bagnulo PhD, and MPH or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Send us a text

What if your lighting is sending the wrong message to your biology? We dig into the science of light as information, showing how specific wavelengths trigger opsins in the eyes and skin to set circadian rhythm, shape metabolism, and influence mood, sleep, and aging. From violet and sky-blue that kick-start morning alertness to red and near-infrared that support mitochondrial function, collagen, and nitric oxide, we connect the dots between spectrum quality and everyday health.
We unpack why standard LEDs, optimized for brightness and efficiency, often omit key wavelengths and oversupply blue at night, creating “junk light” that confuses the body clock. You’ll hear how melanopsin responds to 480 nm for daytime timing, how vitamin A, DHA, and zinc support receptor flexibility, and why quantum effects like exclusion zone water and electron tunneling matter for energy production. We also point to real-world applications: blue light therapy for infant jaundice, UV for hospital sterilization, and the growing case for red and near-infrared in recovery and wound healing.
Most importantly, we translate the science into steps you can use right now. Get outside for a few minutes of morning light. Bring in a full-spectrum or tunable lamp for daytime work. After sunset, drop brightness below 100 lumens and cut blue to protect sleep. Consider targeted red or near-infrared for soreness and winter resiliency, and track your changes with sleep scores or glucose trends. Food and fitness move the needle, but aligning your light may be the missing lever. If this episode helps you rethink your environment, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a review to tell us what light change you’ll make tonight.

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Winter, Light, And Health Framing (00:00:00)

2. Photobiomodulation And Opsins 101 (00:02:18)

3. Structure, Nutrients, And Protein Signaling (00:05:06)

4. Quantum Biology, Water, And Light (00:09:30)

5. Melanopsin, Skin Exposure, And Night Lighting (00:12:55)

6. Metabolism Links: Light, Insulin, Inflammation (00:16:35)

7. Missing Wavelengths And “Junk Light” Analogy (00:19:20)

8. UV, Blue Therapy, And Clinical Uses (00:22:40)

9. Red And Near-Infrared For Mitochondria (00:25:20)

10. LEDs, Brightness Standards, And Gaps (00:28:20)

11. Day-Night Lighting Design And Omitted Blue (00:31:05)

12. Infrared Penetration And Practical Tools (00:34:10)

13. Dynamic Bulbs, Spectra, And Programming (00:37:05)

14. Sunlight As Gold Standard And Daily Regimen (00:40:00)

15. Behavior Change, Tracking, And Next Episode Tease (00:44:00)

51 episodes