Not seeing the world through rose-colored glasses?

By Jennifer Bechdel
November 18, 2007

Maybe you should try on some that literally, “block the blues”. Researchers from John Carroll University have developed blue-blocking glasses which they believe reduces symptoms of ADHD and sleep disorders, such as insomnia. According to the researchers, blue rays inhibit the flow of melatonin, the sleep hormone. The glasses work by blocking out blue rays thereby advancing a person’s circadian rhythm. Many studies have indicated that inhibited melatonin production is linked to the symptoms of ADHD, so that promoting a better flow of this hormone will lead to a reduction in symptoms of this disorder.

One article which reported on this research, “Blue-blocking Glasses to Improve Sleep and ADHD Symptoms Developed”, posted on ScienceDaily.com, also stated that uses of the glasses included “providing better sleep, avoiding postpartum depression, preventing Seasonal Affective Disorder and reducing the risk of cancer.”

I had to find out what these glasses looked like, so I did a little digging. Check out this site where I found them for sale online. If you think the glasses might be beneficial but you’re worried about not looking cool, this site also offers blue blocking lights, which are supposed to work in the same manner as the glasses.