Social media influencers are currently driving a movement that encourages followers to replace LED bulbs with incandescent versions. This trend seeks to combat the perceived physiological risks of modern lighting by returning to older,warmer technology.
The rise of "freedom bulbs" and the 2009 EU ban
Wellness influencers are increasingly advocating for a return to incandescent lighting, often labeling modern LEDs as "government bulbs." These posts, which frequently garner millions of views, suggest that swapping to "freedom bulbs" can prevent issues like brain fog, anxiety, and hormone disruption. This cultural shift follows a significant regulatory change; in 2009, an EU directive began phasing out traditional incandescent bulbs to combat carbon emissions,leading to a near-total ban by 2016. while the move was designed to save energy—as LEDs require 90 percent less electricity than their predecessors—the report suggests that the resulting change in our indoor environments may have unintended biological consequences.
Glen Jeffery on the lack of 600-2500nm infrared light
The biological concern centers on the specific wavelengths of light emitted by modern lighting technology. Professor Glen Jeffery, a neuroscience professor at University College London, explains that incandescent bulbs produce a spectrum similar to the sun, including essential red and infrared light. In contrast, LEDs primarily emit short-wavelength blue light, ranging from 400 to 500 nanometers, which is much harsher and more stimulating. According to Professor Jeffery, the lack of long-wave light—specifically infrared ranging from 700 to 2,500 nm—is a major issue because humans spend over 90 percent of their time in built environments. he suggests that this lack of infrared exposure may be cumulative, potentially affecting the mitochondria, which act as the "batteries" of our cells, and leading to a decline in metabolic health.
Blood sugar fluctuations in the Maastricht University study
Recent research has provided empirical weight to the claims made by wellness advocates regarding metabolic health. As the report notes, a study from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, published last December, observed 13 participants with type 2 diabetes. The study found that their blood-sugar levels were significantly more stable when they worked under natural light compared to an LED-powered office setting. Furthermore, Professor Jeffery’s team published findings in the 2024 Journal of Biophotonics showing that a mere 15-minute burst of red light could help reduce blood-sugar levels following a large glucose intake. These studies suggest that the light spectrum in our homes and workplaces may play a direct role in managing conditions like diabetes and obesity.
The mystery of how LEDs precisely affect human biology
While the connection between light and metabolism is strengthening, several critical questions remain unanswered. Scientists are still struggling to define the exact physiological pathways through which LED light disrupts human health, and the precise mechanism remains unclear. There is also a debate regarding the "red light" trend; Russell Foster, a professor of circadian neuroscience at the University of Oxford, warns that the wellness industry may be oversimplifying the solution. While blue light in the evening is known to increase alertness and shift the body clock, Foster notes that switching to pure red lighting might actually hinder productivity.. It is not yet fully understood how to achieve the ideal mix of wavelengths, or whether the solution lies in tunable LEDs, a combination of bulb types, or simply increasing time spent outdoors.
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