The effects of light exposure on the cortisol stress response in human males.

It is assumed that the production of cortisol is modulated by light exposure. While initial evidence supports this principal effect, the specific effect of light (intensity and wavelength) onto the cortisol stress response is still not completely understood. One between-subject experiment was conducted in a standardized sleep laboratory setting to investigate the effect of light intensity (dim white vs. bright white light) and spectral composition (red vs. blue) on the cortisol response after the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST). 112 healthy young males (24.83 ± 4.10 years of age) were randomly assigned to one of the four light conditions. Across conditions, light exposure was conducted …