Emotion Processing in Brain Is Influenced by Color of Ambient Light

Researchers in Europe have discovered a link between light color and brain response. The researchers found that the color of the ambient light in a person’s environment has an effect on how that person’s brain will process an emotional stimulus. A group of people were exposed to “angry” and neutral stimuli and blue and green light, while MRI scans of their brains were taken. When exposed to the blue light, the people had increased responses in their hippocampus regions, as well as more interaction between their hypothalamus and amygdala regions. The blue light had a direct effect on the way each person perceived the angry stimulus, suggesting that the brain processes stressful stimuli better while the person is exposed to blue light. Researchers are trying to apply this discovery to see if they can discover a link between light color and mood, in order to treat mood disorders using light therapy.

I found this article interesting because I have a tendency to get stressed. If I could keep my mind clear, be less stressed and have a better mood just by changing the lighting in my environment, I would. Currently we focus on giving “moody” individuals “happy pills”. Being able to help those individuals with fewer drugs is appealing to me.

http://bioengineersatwork.blogspot.com/2010/09/sneaking-spies-into-cells-nucleus.html