#172- Dr. Glen Jeffery - The Impact of Light on Human Health.
Glen Jeffery is a Professor of Neuroscience at University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology, known for pioneering research on light’s effects on the retina, mitochondria, and human health. summary Welcoming back Dr. Glen Jeffery to explain how light affects physiology, including mitochondrial energy production, blood-sugar regulation, and vision. Glen discusses practical lighting compromises, cautions against treating blue or red light as simply good or bad, and explains why questions about skin pigmentation and diabetes require more research. Glen and Ryan discuss how reflected light, building materials, greenery, and shadows may shape indoor environments and health. Glen also recounts experiments using bees to study light and glucose, then offers practical thoughts on getting outdoors and using incandescent light, while emphasizing the value of interdisciplinary research and public science communication. Chapters 00:00 Why Glen returned to discuss light and biology 02:46 Sunlight, indoor life, and blood-sugar regulation 05:16 How infrared light may support mitochondrial electron transfer 08:24 The proposed mechanism and what it could mean for lifespan 10:18 What incandescent bulbs provide that LEDs leave out 12:23 A 45-minute lighting experiment and a practical compromise 14:15 Bringing daylight and incandescent light into hospitals 17:40 Why Glen questions high-powered, narrow-band red-light panels 22:20 Why light exposure is about balance and dose 23:18 Morning light, mitochondrial clocks, and blue light at night 28:45 Why light changes as we move through the environment 32:23 Screens, blue blockers, and what the tests found 37:20 Skin pigmentation, light penetration, and diabetes research 40:43 Why the relationship between light and diabetes is complex 42:04 Why healthy-building design is drawing architects in 44:02 How materials and reflections shape the light indoors 45:14 What might be hidden in the shadows 46:30 Green walls, infrared reflection, and a glucose test 49:13 Choosing surfaces and glass for light and plants 52:17 The low-cost bee experiment that led toward human research 55:17 What bee learning suggests about animal intelligence 56:31 The simple case for getting outside 59:47 Incandescent and reptile bulbs: Glen's practical perspective 01:01:00 Why shadows and interdisciplinary research excite Glen 01:03:18 Public outreach and connecting research across fields 01:05:28 Closing reflections on animals, science, and communication Music for every episode Intro/ Exit music: We Plants Are Happy Plants- The Secret https://www.instagram.com/weplantsarehappyplants396/?hl=en Music for episode Renick Turley SedonaFilm | Musician . Cinematographer. Editor https://www.instagram.com/sedona_film/ https://vimeo.com/renickdp https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/7465-glen-jeffery Connect with Ryan Anderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awonderjunkie/ awonderjunkie.com www.breathe4flow.com Rumble https://rumble.com/user/awonderjunkie Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@awonderjunkie iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-wondejunkie/id1739838765 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1CcQXpxfV9P89IrKmtV2hS?si=6519a88aef444ba0 Some Favorite Healthy Products, Books and other gadgets. https://a.co/d/02ubaTt4 https://vivarays.com/ryananderson Use Code : WONDER for 10% off. Incandescent lighting https://strainlesslighting.com/ 10% off use the code “WONDER” at checkout. The content contained herein may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of Breathe4Flow LLC. This presentation is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as a means to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. Furthermore, it is not to be interpreted as medical or legal advice, opinion, or recommendation. The information is for entertainment purposes. This Podcast is not medical advice or any other type of advice. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without expressed written permission from AWonderJunkie LLC. The purpose of this conversation is to convey information. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure a condition; nor is it to be considered medical or legal advice, opinion or recommendation. This information is for entertainment purposes only. keywords light and biology, sunlight and health, LED lighting, incandescent light, mitochondria, blood sugar, red light therapy, circadian rhythms, blue light, photobiology light and health, infrared light, building design, reflected light, mitochondria, Mitochondrial health, Circadian Biology, Circadian rhythm, Circadian, greenery and blood glucose, bees and light research, incandescent lighting, healthy buildings