Scott Zimmerman: Melatonin, Light & the Optics of the Human Body

Source: Ricci Flow Nutrition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHchf6LD8Ro
Jun 10, 2023

Scott Zimmerman is an expert in optics and has focussed his attention on quantifying the health effects of natural sunlight. With over 35 years of experience in the industry, Scott has unparalleled knowledge about how light interacts with systems.

His innovations and inventions have been used successfully in a wide range of military and commercial products that include night vision displays, liquid crystal display backlighting designs, and lighting fixtures. More recently, he has been working closely with world-renowned researchers in the field of biology, looking closely at the relationship between natural light rich in near-infrared, melatonin and cortisol. His publications are alongside Professor Russel Reiter, the world’s foremost expert in melatonin. Scott’s insights are profound and are changing the way we perceive our relationship with light and why we are yet to get a grip on diseases of modern life.

Scott has also started a company, NIRA, and seeks to integrate the best of LED technology and the best of incandescent technology to make lightbulbs that are safe and provide much-needed NIR wavelengths absent in modern fixtures.

Timestamps
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:26 - Scott's Background & Work
00:09:29 - Working with Russel Reiter on Melatonin
00:12:02 - The Changing Landscape of Melatonin Research
00:17:17 - How the Body Captures & Funnels Light Inside
00:23:44 - Why Does NIR Light Stimulate Melatonin Release?
00:25:30 - Sources of Melatonin in the Body
00:31:43 - The Current Lighting Environment
00:32:38 - Auto-Photobleaching of Melanin For UV Interactions
00:36:35 - Skin as the Largest Endocrine Organ
00:39:09 - Why Chronic Sun Exposure Protects From Melanoma
00:41:02 - More Melanin Means More Sunlight is Required
00:44:00 - Basal Cell Carcinoma
00:48:26 - The Power of NIR Photography
00:49:27 - NIR Light & Melatonin
00:53:11 - Blue Blocking Glasses
00:57:46 - The Problem with Animal Models for Research
01:01:23 - Photobiomodulation with 660nm & 850nm
01:05:45 - Light, Cancer & Mental Health
01:09:18 - Architecture & Solutions to Our Current Lighting Problems
01:13:45 - The Circadian Effects of Hormone Content of Milk (Night Milk)
01:16:57 - IR Light & Heat
01:23:49 - Scott's NIRA Bulbs & Interdisciplinarity
01:37:04 - Outro

Scott's Work:
- NIRA: https://niralighting.com/
- Melatonin & The Optics Of The Human Body: https://www.melatonin-research.net/index.php/MR/article/view/19