If you’re having a problem with insomnia you might be surprised to learn that your cell phone could be the reason.
Studies have shown that electromagnetic radiation inhibits the production of one of our hormones called melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that regulates our sleep cycle. You’ve probably seen it in the health food store in tablet form. It’s secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and is produced about 90 minutes after falling asleep. Thus, melatonin levels rise at night, when it’s dark, and remain low during the day, while it’s light. (That’s why you should sleep in a room that is as dark as possible) Melatonin is useful and necessary for many reasons but the most common is that of regulating the sleep cycle. When cell phone radiation, or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, inhibits the body’s ability to make this important hormone the sleep cycle is compromised. Could this be one reason why so many people today have insomnia? Is the multitude of sleep problems in America today a result of all the electromagnetic radiation in our environment from cell phones and wireless technology? Perhaps so.
What types of objects produce electromagnetic radiation? Anything that uses electricity in any way, wired or battery-operated. Cell phones, computer monitors, microwave ovens, television screens, vacuum sweepers, hairdryers, electric clocks (have one next to your bed….it’s not good if you do.), video games, blenders, etc. You get the picture. And don’t forget all the wireless technology…like WiFi, wireless internet access, GPS devices, etc. They all produce harmful radiation, too.
Why is it important to get good quality sleep? If you don’t get into the deeper phases of sleep your body cannot repair itself. The repair process occurs at night while the body is resting. This is when the cells rejuvenate. This repair process only happens in the deeper phases of sleep so good quality sleep is vital to our health. Did you know that 81% of young people 15 to 20 years of age sleep with their cell phone on? Considering the value of melatonin to our health the implications of this statistic are frightening. Both from a sleep issue and from the proximity of the cell phone to the brain of these young people. And don’t let your child sleep with their cell phone on at night. Turn it off. They’ll live the night without it.
As further proof, a study published in the British Medical Journal The Lancet, December 2007, found that a woman’s risk of breast cancer was increased 60% if she worked the night shift. Men’s risk of prostate cancer was also increased. Why does this happen? Light raises cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland which is activated by light. Light furthermore inhibits production of melatonin by the pineal gland in the brain. So the combination of increased cortisol, which suppresses our immune system, and decreased melatonin, which suppresses tumor development leads to conditions favorable for the possible development of cancer.
And this is really important, too. Melatonin regulates estrogen. So when melatonin isn’t produced in adequate amounts estrogen suppression is removed. And as stated earlier, estrogen is a risk factor for breast cancer development. This may be even more important than the sleep issue.
What should you do? Pay attention to all the things around you producing electromagnetic radiation. Your cell phone is the most common. Reduce your risk of exposure as much as possible. Don’t let small children use wireless devices and limit your kids’ time on a cell phone. The radiation penetrates the head of a young person much deeper because their skull bones are softer and thinner. Limit your own exposure as well.
Research this topic. Find out all you can about cell phone radiation and wireless technology. In my opinion, it’s the greatest health threat we face today.
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by Lynn Quiring
