Artificial Light is Wrecking Your Life | Emily Scircle | TEDxClemsonUniversity

Humans were genetically perfected with thousands of years of genetic breeding to crave sunlight, but the past 100 years of innovation has drastically altered humans' environment and lifestyle. In this talk Emily walks you through various interactions that you encounter daily with with artificial illuminance to challenge you to think about how this recent man-made environment impacts your mood, productivity, and energy levels.
Emily is a senior at Clemson University studying Language and International Public Health with an emphasis in Spanish and Hospital Administration and minor in Psychology. Originally a preferred walk-on for Clemson’s varsity rowing program, she received a medical release after her freshman season in 2016 due to a diagnosis of narcolepsy. Rather than dwell on her experience, she used it to springboard an interest in undergraduate research focusing on human stress and fatigue. She has spent the past 2 years focusing on her own research study, investigating the exposure of bright light to decrease daytime sleepiness as an alternative to caffeine and stimulants. Scircle was one of six Clemson undergraduates selected to present her findings at the ACC Meeting of the Minds Conference in April 2018. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@emilyscircle8414]

So cool that my talk finally got posted!!! Since I gave my talk in Spring of 2019, I graduated from Clemson, earned a Master's of Science in Lighting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and now I am finishing up my second year of medical school. Almost 4 years later, this science is still very much relevant but now I have more knowledge, skills, and opportunity to apply and expand upon this research! Feel free to respond to this thread if you have any specific questions.

[@Nehauon]

Good job, it was a great speech! 👍

[@denisedade9346]

This was so powerful! I appreciate your talk Emily!

[@TaiNguyen-tm1md]

what kind of light are you using now?

[@eifso1340]

So does a bright light lamp work when you wear sunscreen i ask myself

[@emilyscircle8414]

Circadian entrainment primarily works through the eye. Photons (light particles) hit a cell (ipRGCs) in the retina (sensory eye layer) that causes a chemical change to a photopigment called melanopsin. This change sends a single to a part in your brain called the SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) that then starts the wakefulness cascade. This cascade then stimulates other parts of your brain like the pineal gland (secrets melatonin) and the hypothalamus (hormones, memory, behavior etc), which alters many different biological functions. The sunscreen will help to prevent skin cancer. But UV rays in the skin have an effect on Vit D levels, which then have a direct relationship with calcium, phosphorus, the immune system, parathyroid hormones, and the absorption of nutrients in your gut! Thanks for your question!

[@marcobarde9127]

You should marry Andrew Huberman