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Does the color temperature of a computer screen affect sleep patterns?

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Re: Does the color temperature of a computer screen affect sleep patterns?

#11

Post by rolleiflex »

sathyabhat wrote: post #9

Am I the only person to feel that f.lux is counter-productive? I'm not sure if it's me or my laptop screen.

It changes screen to screen. on my macbook pro screen f.lux produces some mellow golden (?) tint to the screen and basically unnoticeable, but I have a cheap samsung 21 monitor, and on that f.lux makes screen quality deteirorate noticeably.

Think of it like that: your lcd is certified to have a certain color gamut at 6800 kelvins. (daylight) But when you push it down to 3000K, there is no guarantee that your lcd will retain same color range - and in most cases it doesn't. That's probably why its about quality of your lcd. Most budget laptops has pretty bad lcd's, so it makes sense that your laptop doesn't fare as well.

Re: Does the color temperature of a computer screen affect sleep patterns?

#12

Post by gwern »

tptacek wrote: post #6

Is this really controversial? As a commenter points out, the "opposite" effect is well established. Go to Google Scholar and search [bright light therapy circadian], and skim the abstracts. You can find papers there on color temperature affecting melatonin and core temperature, too. Anecdotally: I'm a F.lux user and I haven't had a severe insomnia episode once since I installed it, and that it in any case reduces eye…

It's not controversial at all, you're right. For example, here's a result that electronic devices at night drastically decrease melatonin secretion that I found for my article: http://www.gwern.net/Melatonin#fn12

Re: Does the color temperature of a computer screen affect sleep patterns?

#16

Post by peterhajas »

ajarmoniuk wrote: post #15
johkra wrote: post #7

For X11 users, there's also redshift ( http://jonls.dk/redshift/ ). I use it when using the computer at night as it makes for easier reading.

f.lux doesn't work with 2 monitors; does redshift?

Which platform are you on? f.lux on OS X works just fine across many displays.

Re: Does the color temperature of a computer screen affect sleep patterns?

#17

Post by adambyrtek »

ajarmoniuk wrote: post #15
johkra wrote: post #7

For X11 users, there's also redshift ( http://jonls.dk/redshift/ ). I use it when using the computer at night as it makes for easier reading.

f.lux doesn't work with 2 monitors; does redshift?

Yes, RedShift does support that. I've just tested on a laptop with an external monitor attached.

Re: Does the color temperature of a computer screen affect sleep patterns?

#19

Post by AJ007 »

tptacek wrote: post #6

Is this really controversial? As a commenter points out, the "opposite" effect is well established. Go to Google Scholar and search [bright light therapy circadian], and skim the abstracts. You can find papers there on color temperature affecting melatonin and core temperature, too. Anecdotally: I'm a F.lux user and I haven't had a severe insomnia episode once since I installed it, and that it in any case reduces eye…

I've been using F.lux for a few months, but had "solved" my sleep problems prior. The secret was to ensure my computer was off 2 hours before my intended sleep time. Interestingly I could sit in from of a 55" LCD television for that time period instead (with the brightness dimmed a bit.) Within two hours I would go to bed and be asleep within 15-20 minutes.

As a self employed entrepreneur since I dropped out of college some 5 years ago or so, I had immense difficulty with my sleep patterns until late last year. 24 hour cycles, waking up at midnight, every possible worst combination imaginable.

Based on my own personal experience over the years I suspect light intensity and prepping for bed time fixes 90% of the problems -- assuming you are not a user of any type of narcotics or stimulants, prescription or otherwise.

To a lesser degree changing my diet and pulling out all added sugar at 95% of dairy probably contributed positively as well.

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