Exploring the Link Between Light and Health with Dr. Roger Seheult
Mar 26, 2025
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Join Dr. Roger Seheult, a quadruple board-certified physician and co-founder of MedCram, as he explores the fascinating connection between light and health. He delves into how light exposure affects our circadian rhythms, brain function, and even mood. Dr. Seheult emphasizes the importance of natural light and outdoor time for enhancing wellbeing. He also discusses melatonin's role in longevity, the significance of sleep timing, and how certain foods may disrupt our circadian health. Discover practical tips to improve your sleep quality and overall wellness!
Light exposure significantly influences circadian rhythms and mood, necessitating morning sunlight and reduced artificial light at night for better health.
Melatonin plays a crucial role in cellular health and longevity, underscoring the importance of maximizing its production through evening darkness.
Deep dives
Impact of Modern Life on Sleep
The current lifestyle is significantly detrimental to sleep quality, primarily due to early rising and late-night commitments. Many individuals struggle with demanding schedules that hinder their ability to obtain sufficient restorative sleep, particularly crucial slow-wave sleep, which is essential for physical rejuvenation. The need to commute from cheaper housing to higher-cost workplaces further compounds the issue, resulting in sleep deprivation. Consequently, this modern way of living not only affects sleep but overall health, driving society away from optimal well-being.
The Role of Light in Sleep and Health
Light exposure plays a critical role in regulating sleep patterns and mood, acting as a primary influencer on circadian rhythms. Research indicates that exposure to light during specific hours can have negative impacts, such as promoting depressive symptoms and affecting motivation the following day. Moreover, the body's response to light varies significantly throughout the day, emphasizing the importance of receiving proper light exposure during morning hours. To combat fatigue and promote healthy sleep cycles, individuals should prioritize sunlight exposure at the beginning of their day and limit artificial lighting at night.
Melatonin: More Than Just a Sleep Hormone
Melatonin is often misunderstood as simply a sleep hormone, yet it plays critical roles in antioxidant production and cellular health. Its production is influenced by light exposure; thus, maintaining darkness in the evening is crucial for its secretion from the pineal gland. Optimal melatonin levels are essential for mitochondrial function, supporting energy production and reducing oxidative stress throughout the body. Prioritizing behaviors that protect melatonin production, such as minimizing light exposure at night, can lead to better health outcomes and longevity.
Timely Eating for Better Health
The timing of meals is increasingly recognized as vital for supporting metabolic health and enhancing sleep quality. Consuming food later in the evening can disrupt sleep patterns as the body tends to be less efficient at metabolizing nutrients during this time. This misalignment with circadian rhythms often leads to increased insulin resistance and other health issues over time. Emphasizing time-restricted eating, wherein meals are consumed only when the sun is up, can facilitate natural body processes that enhance overall health and wellness.
On the third installment of our Longevity Series, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes, sits down with Dr. Roger Seheult. Dr. Roger Seheult is an Associate Clinical Professor at University of California, Riverside School of Medicine and Assistant Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine and Allied Health at Loma Linda University. Dr. Seheult is a critical care physician, practicing in Beaumont, California and is a quadruple board-certified doctor of internal medicine, pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, and sleep medicine. He focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles and making medical concepts more understandable to everyone. He actively lectures at schools, hospitals, and across media outlets.
Dr. Seheult is the co-founder of MedCram, founded early in the pandemic to educate people world-wide about the spread of viruses. MedCram is now an online educational company that aims to clear up misconceptions and provide understandable medical videos for all.
Dr. Holmes and Dr. Seheult discuss the effect of light on circadian rhythm (00:42), how light and timing affects brain circuitry and mood (02:42), melatonin’s important role in longevity (05:31), why we need to be outdoors more (09:58), the importance of sleep-wake timing (14:46), slow-wave sleep and growth hormones (16:31). Dr. Seheult illustrates the foods that may be impacting your circadian health (18:42) and practical sleep changes that will help improve your sleep quality (24:25), the 8 pillars of sleep (25:15) and the importance of living for purpose (30:32).