Health effects: Sleep

Although the frequencies associated with RFR which are experienced at night (1-3GHz broadly) are not the same as visible light, the circadian rhythm sensors in our brain still perceive the signals as ‘daylight’, and so they still disrupt the melatonin cycles that should kick in during dark restful sleep. The critical role that melatonin plays in preserving health is well known. The adaptive stress caused by the pulse modulated signals also remains during night time exposure, further disturbing rest time. Our sleep should be in a true ‘white zone’ with all devices off.

Following are peer reviewed studies. The sheer volume is for impact? You can dip into them as you wish of course, but the mere fact of their existence tells the story – Switch Off radiating devices at night, and avoid exposure to Blue Light before sleep.

Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression

Non-thermal microwave/lower frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) act via voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) activation. Calcium channel blockers block EMF effects and several types of additional evidence confirm this mechanism. Low intensity microwave EMFs have been proposed to produce neuropsychiatric effects, sometimes called microwave syndrome.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26300312/

Diplomats’ mystery illness linked to radiofrequency/microwave radiation, researcher says

2018. In a new article, a researcher makes the case that publicly reported symptoms and experiences of a ‘mystery illness’ afflicting American and Canadian diplomats in Cuba and China strongly match known effects of pulsed radiofrequency/microwave electromagnetic (RF/MW) radiation.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180829115456.htm

Skeptical approaches concerning the effect of exposure to electromagnetic fields on brain hormones and enzyme activities

Very good exploration of the possible effects and mechanisms of RF exposure. During the past two decades, numerous scientific data have shed light on the effects of EMF exposure on biological systems and human health. The human body exposes to two types of EMF, as ELF or RF.  A variety of biological and medical endpoints have been addressed in these studies. Brain hormones such as melatonin and alteration or suppression of the mechanisms thereof are associated with physiological disturbances such as sleep disorders, depression, stress, and cancers. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213879X17300330

Blue Light from Digital Devices Blocks Melatonin, Sleep and Shifts the Circadian Clock

In mammals, a central circadian clock, located in the hypothalamus, tunes the innate circadian physiological rhythms to the ambient 24 h light–dark cycle to invigorate and optimize the internal temporal order. The light‐inhibited production of melatonin conveys the message of darkness to the clock and induces night‐state physiological functions, for example, sleep/wake blood pressure and metabolism. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6057895/

This study by Chindamo (2019), Sleep and new media usage in toddlers, found everyday use of a tablet or smartphone raised the odds of a shorter total sleep time and a longer sleep onset latency.

Studies have found an association between sleep behaviour and the use of computers and video games in early childhood. • The blue light emitted from TV screens suppresses endogenous melatonin. What is new • The study found an association between daily new media (tablet and smartphone) usage and sleep quality in toddlers • New media usage exposes toddlers to the risk of fewer hours of sleep and taking longer to fall asleep, irrespective of other factors.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30652219/

Direct Measurements of Smartphone Screen-Time: Relationships with Demographics and Sleep

Excess screen time is also associated with other health issues as described in this paper by Kenny (2017). Longer average screen-time was associated with shorter sleep duration and worse sleep-efficiency. Longer average screen-times during bedtime and the sleeping period were associated with poor sleep quality, decreased sleep efficiency, and longer sleep onset latency.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27829040/

French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety on LED Lights 2019

ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety published an extensive independent report on the “effects on human health and the environment (fauna and flora) systems using light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

“Over the past few decades, humans have considerably increased their exposure to blue light in the evening with artificial lighting and backlights rich in blue light…the Working Group’s experts consider that the risk of circadian disruption associated with exposure to blue-rich LED lights in the evening or at night is high. In particular, exposure before bedtime to LED lighting or screens from televisions or communication technologies enriched with blue light is likely to adversely affect sleep duration and quality and impact cognitive functions.” 

https://mdsafetech.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/5g-anses-french-study-blue-light-2020.pdf

Melatonin Effects of EMR and Light at Night

Effects on human health and the environment (fauna and flora) of systems usinglight-emitting diodes (LEDs). (2019)  French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety. https://www.anses.fr/en/system/files/AP2014SA0253EN.pdf

Impact of Light Exposure during Sleep on Cardiometabolic Function. (2018) Mason I et al. Sleep, Volume 41, April 2018, Pages A46. https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/41/suppl_1/A46/4988151?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Women With Hereditary Breast Cancer Predispositions Should Avoid Using Their Smartphones, Tablets, and Laptops at Night. (2018)Mortazavi SA et al. IJBMS. 2018 Feb;21(2):112-115. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29456806/

Blocking Short-Wavelength Component of the Visible Light Emitted by Smartphones’ Screens Improves Human Sleep Quality. (2018) Mortazavi SAR. J Biomed Phys Eng. 2018 Dec 1;8(4):375-380. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30568927

Strategies to decrease social jetlag: Reducing evening blue light advances sleep and melatonin. (2018) Zerbini G Eur J Neurosci. 2018 Dec 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30506899

Effects of smartphone use with and without blue light at night in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled comparison. (2017) Jung-Yoon Heo et al. Journal of Psychiatric Research. Volume 87, April 2017 , Pages 61-70. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022395616307786

Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness.(2016) Anne-Marie Chang et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Nov 26, 2016. 112 no. http://www.pnas.org/content/112/4/1232.abstract

The Effects of Melatonin on Oxidative Stress Parameters and DNA Fragmentation in Testicular Tissue of Rats Exposed to Microwave Radiation. (2015)  Sokolovic D et al.  Adv Clin Exp Med. 2015 May-Jun;24(3):429-36. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26467130

Occupational electromagnetic field exposures associated with sleep quality: a cross-sectional study. (2014)  Liu H et al. PLoS One. 2014 Oct 23;9(10). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25340654

Therapeutic approaches of melatonin in microwave radiations-induced oxidative stress-mediated toxicity on male fertility pattern of Wistar rats. (2014)  Meena R et al. Electromagn Biol Med. 2014 Jun;33(2):81-91. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23676079

Effect of mobile usage on serum melatonin levels among medical students. (2014) Shrivastava A, Saxena Y. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2014 Oct-Dec;58(4):395-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26215007

Mobile usage and sleep patterns among medical students. (2014) Yogesh S et L. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2014 Jan-Mar;58(1):1003. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25464686

Is newborn melatonin production influenced by magnetic fields produced by incubators? (2012) Bellieni CV.  Early Hum Dev. 2012 Aug;88(8):70710.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22421197

Melatonin modulates wireless (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative injury through TRPM2 and voltage gated Ca(2+) channels in brain and dorsal root ganglion in rat. (2012)  Nazıroğlu M et al.  Physiol Behav. 2012;105(3):683–92.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22019785

The effect of melatonin on body mass and behaviour of rats during an exposure to microwave radiation from mobile phone. (2012)  Sokolovic D et al. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2012;113(5):265-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22616582

Melatonin as a most important factor of natural electromagnetic fields impacting patients with hypertensive disease and coronary heart disease. Part 1]. (2011) Rapoport SI.  Klin Med (Mosk). 2011;89(3):9-14. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21861395

Circadian stage-dependent inhibition of human breast cancer metabolism and growth by the nocturnal melatonin signal: consequences of its disruption by light at night in rats and women. (2009) Blask DE1, Dauchy RT, Brainard GC, Hanifin JP. Integr Cancer Ther. 2009 Dec;8(4):347-53. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20042410

Is light-at-night a health risk factor or a health risk predictor? (2009) Kantermann T1, Roenneberg T. Chronobiol Int. 2009 Aug;26(6):1069-74. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19731106

Can disturbances in the atmospheric electric field created by powerline corona ions disrupt melatonin production in the pineal gland? (2008) HENSHAW D ET AL. Journal of Pineal Research. Oct 9, 2008. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1600-079X.2008.00594.x

Melatonin reduces oxidative stress induced by chronic exposure of microwave radiation from mobile phones in rat brain. (2008) Sokolovic D. J Radiat Res. 2008 Nov;49(6):579-86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18827438

Circadian disruption, shift work and the risk of cancer: a summary of the evidence and studies in Seattle.(2006)  Davis S et al. Cancer Causes Control. 2006 May;17(4):539-45. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16596308

Effects of 60-Hz magnetic field exposure on nocturnal 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, estrogens, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in healthy reproductive-age women: results of a crossover trial. (2006) Davis S et al. Ann Epidemiol. 2006 Aug;16(8):622-31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16458540

Light during darkness and cancer: relationships in circadian photoreception and tumor biology. (2006) Jasser SA1, Blask DE, Brainard GC. Cancer Causes Control. 2006 May;17(4):515-23.. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16596305

Protective effects of melatonin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester against retinal oxidative stress in long-term use of mobile phone: a comparative study.(2006) Ozguner F. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Jan;282(1-2):83-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16317515

Melatonin-depleted blood from premenopausal women exposed to light at night stimulates growth of human breast cancer xenografts in nude rats. (2005) Blask DE1, Brainard GC, Cancer Res. 2005 Dec 1;65(23):11174-84. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16322268

Putting cancer to sleep at night: the neuroendocrine/circadian melatonin signal. (2005) Blask DE1, Dauchy RT, Sauer LA. 2005 Jul;27(2):179-88. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16217131

Do magnetic fields cause increased risk of childhood leukemia via melatonin disruption? (2005) Henshaw DL and Reiter RJ. Bioelectromagnetics. 005;Suppl 7:S86-97. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16059923

Light during darkness, melatonin suppression and cancer progression. (2002) Blask DE1, Dauchy RT, Sauer LA, Krause JA, Brainard GC. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002 Jul;23 Suppl 2:52-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12163849

Melatonin metabolite excretion among cellular telephone users.(2002) Burch JB1, Reif JS, Noonan CW, Ichinose T, Bachand AM, Koleber TL, Yost MG.. Int J Radiat Biol. 2002 Nov;78(11):1029-36. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12456290

Melatonin inhibition of cancer growth in vivo involves suppression of tumor fatty acid metabolism via melatonin receptor-mediated signal transduction events. (1996) Blask DE. Cancer Res. 1999 Sep 15;59(18):4693-701. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10493527

The relationship between electromagnetic field and light exposures to melatonin and breast cancer risk: a review of the relevant literature. (1999) Brainard GC, Kavet R, Kheifets LI. J Pineal Res. 1999 Mar;26(2):65-100. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10100735

Dim light during darkness stimulates tumor progression by enhancing tumor fatty acid uptake and metabolism. (1999) Dauchy RT1, Blask DE, Sauer LA, Brainard GC, Krause JA. Cancer Lett. 1999 Oct 1;144(2):131-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10529012

Chronic exposure to ELF fields may induce depression. (1998) Wilson BW et al. Bioelectromagnetics. 1988;9(2):195-205 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3288221

Light contamination during the dark phase in “photoperiodically controlled” animal rooms: effect on tumor growth and metabolism in rats. (1997) Dauchy RT1, Sauer LA, Blask DE, Vaughan GM. Lab Anim Sci. 1997 Oct;47(5):511-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9355094

Melatonin and a spin-trap compound block radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells. (1997) Lai, H, Singh, NP, Bioelectromagnetics18(6):446-454, 1997a. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9261542

Melatonin suppression by static and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields: relationship to the reported increased incidence of cancer. (1994) Reiter RJ. Rev Environ Health.1994 Jul-Dec;10(3-4):171-86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7724876

Melatonin, Electromagnetic Radiation and Sleep

Pathophysiology of sleep-dependent memory consolidation processes in children. (2013) Urbain C.  Int J Psychophysiol. 2013 Aug;89(2):27383. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23810995

Human Gut Bacteria Are Sensitive to Melatonin and Express Endogenous Circadian Rhythmicity. (2016) Jiffin K. Paulose et al. PLOS. January 11,2016. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146643

Melatonin suppresses aromatase expression and activity in breast cancer associated fibroblasts. (2012) Knower KC. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2012 Apr;132(2):765-71. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22237979

Declining melatonin levels and MT1 receptor expression in aging rats is associated with enhanced mammary tumor growth and decreased sensitivity to melatonin. (2011) Hill SM., Blask D, Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2011 May;127(1):91-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20549340

In this issue: circadian disruption and cancer. (2009) Block, K.I., Hrushesky, W., and Blask, D. Integ. Cancer Therap. 8:295-297, 2009 (Invited). http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1534735409355594

Melatonin, sleep disturbance and cancer risk. (2009) Blask, D.E. Sleep Med. Revs. 13:257-264, 2009 (Invited). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19095474

Circadian stage-dependent inhibition of human breast cancer metabolism and growth by the nocturnal melatonin signal: consequences of its disruption by light at night in rats and women. (2009) Blask, D.E., Dauchy, R.T.  Cancer Therap.  8:347-353, 2009 (Invited). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20042410

Antineoplastic effects of melatonin on a rare malignancy of mesenchymal origin: melatonin receptor-mediated inhibition of signal transduction, linoleic acid metabolism and growth in tissue-isolated human leiomyosarcoma xenografts. (2009) Dauchy, R.T., Blask, D.E. J Pineal Res., 47:32-42, 2009. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19486272

Inhibition of fatty acid transport and proliferative activity in tissue-isolated human squamous cell cancer xenografts perfused in situ with melatonin or eicosapentaenoic or conjugated linoleic acids. (2007) Dauchy RT, Dauchy EM. Blask D. Comp Med. 2007 Aug;57(4):377-82. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17803052

Effect of short-wave (6-22 MHz) magnetic fields on sleep quality and melatonin cycle in humans: the Schwarzenburg shut-down study. (2006) Altpeter ES et al. Bioelectromagnetics. 2006 Feb;27(2):142-50.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16342198

Melatonin uptake and growth prevention in rat hepatoma 7288CTC in response to dietary melatonin: melatonin receptor-mediated inhibition of tumor linoleic acid metabolism to the growth signaling molecule 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid and the potential role of phytomelatonin. (2004) Blask DE. 2004 Jun;25(6):951-60. Epub 2004 Jan 30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14754876

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, melatonin, and cancer prevention. (2001) Sauer LA1, Dauchy RT, Blask DE. Biochem Pharmacol. 2001 Jun 15;61(12):1455-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11377374

New actions of melatonin on tumor metabolism and growth. (1999) Blask DE. Biol Signals Recept. 1999 Jan-Apr;8(1-2):49-55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10085462