Abstract

It is assumed that the production of cortisol is modulated by light exposure. While initial evidence supports this principal effect, the specific effect of light (intensity and wavelength) onto the cortisol stress response is still not completely understood.

One between-subject experiment was conducted in a standardized sleep laboratory setting to investigate the effect of light intensity (dim white vs. bright white light) and spectral composition (red vs. blue) on the cortisol response after the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST). 112 healthy young males (24.83 ± 4.10 years of age) were randomly assigned to one of the four light conditions. Across conditions, light exposure was conducted for one-hour post-awakening and the light effect was measured based on eight saliva samples.

The analysis indicates significant main effects for time and light condition as well as a significant interaction effect. Notably, bright light exposure evoked the highest cortisol levels when compared to dim white, red, and blue light.

Our findings illustrate the crucial role of light intensity and wavelength for the cortisol stress response, in line with current theoretical knowledge of underlying neurobiological mechanisms.

• LAY SUMMARY

• Effects of different light sources were tested on healthy male adults in the morning after a stress test. Their stress responses showed that a bright light exposure increased the stress hormone level greatest compared to dim white, red or blue light sources. Findings point toward the crucial role of light intensity associated with the hormonal stress response.

摘要

假定皮质醇的产生通过曝光来调节。尽管最初的证据支持了这种主要作用，但仍然没有完全了解光对皮质醇应激反应的特定作用（强度和波长）。

在标准化的睡眠实验室环境中进行了一项受试者间实验，以研究马斯特里赫特急性应激测试（MAST）后，光强度（暗白色与明亮的白光）和光谱组成（红色与蓝色）对皮质醇反应的影响）。将112名健康的年轻男性（24.83±4.10岁）随机分配到四种光照条件之一。在各种条件下，唤醒后进行一小时的曝光，并基于八个唾液样品测量光效应。

该分析表明时间和光照条件具有明显的主要影响以及相互作用的显着影响。值得注意的是，与暗淡的白，红和蓝光相比，暴露于明亮的光线下皮质醇水平最高。

我们的发现说明了光强度和波长对于皮质醇应激反应的关键作用，这与目前有关潜在的神经生物学机制的理论知识相一致。

• 图层摘要

• 压力测试后的早晨，测试了不同光源对健康男性成年人的影响。他们的压力反应表明，与昏暗的白色，红色或蓝色光源相比，强光照射可以最大程度地提高压力激素水平。研究结果指出，光强度与荷尔蒙应激反应有关。