Coloured light and its ability to soothe and heal has fascinated humans for decades. In 1914, Dr. Harry Sherman incorporated green lighting into hospital operating rooms to help reduce glare and create a better work environment for surgeons. Some educational institutions use the colour to illuminate classrooms as it has been shown to improve concentration levels . But, up until recently, little data was available to back these claims. Recent research is showing that there may well be tangible benefits to green lighting.
Michael Hamblin, an associate professor at Harvard Medicine school says that like plants experiencing photosynthesis, humans also have a chemical reaction to light. "When particles of light hit the skin, they're absorbed by light-sensitive molecules within the cells, which kick-start a response." Studies are proving that exposure to green light is effective in establishing non-visual responses to light such as: resetting circadian rhythms, impacting melatonin production and altering the brain. Encouraged by the findings from recent experiments, researchers feel they have the green light for further inquiry.