“Shedding Light on Light”: A Review on the Effects on Mental Health of Exposure to Optical Radiation

Davide Elia Bertani, Antonella Maria Pia De Novellis, Riccardo Farina, Emanuela Latella, Matteo Meloni, Carmela Scala, Laura Valeo, Gian Maria Galeazzi and Silvia Ferrari
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Davide Elia Bertani: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Antonella Maria Pia De Novellis: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Riccardo Farina: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Emanuela Latella: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Matteo Meloni: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Carmela Scala: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Laura Valeo: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Gian Maria Galeazzi: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
Silvia Ferrari: Department of Biomedical & Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: In relation to human health and functioning, light, or more specifically optical radiation, plays many roles, beyond allowing vision. These may be summarized as: regulation of circadian rhythms; consequences of direct exposure to the skin; and more indirect effects on well-being and functioning, also related to lifestyle and contact with natural and urban environments. Impact on mental health is relevant for any of these specifications and supports a clinical use of this knowledge for the treatment of psychiatric conditions, such as depression or anxiety, somatic symptom disorder, and others, with reference to light therapy in particular. The scope of this narrative review is to provide a summary of recent findings and evidence on the regulating functions of light on human beings’ biology, with a specific focus on mental health, its prevention and care.

Keywords: light; light exposure; melatonin; calcitriol; bio-psycho-social; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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