Are you struggling to fall asleep or finding that your kids are overly energetic after using tablets before bedtime? If you're using smartphones or tablets in the evening or are sensitive to light during migraines, Twilight might be the solution you need!
Recent research indicates that blue light exposure before sleep can disrupt your natural circadian rhythm, making it difficult to fall asleep. This issue stems from a photoreceptor in your eyes known as Melanopsin, which is sensitive to blue light in the 460-480nm range. Exposure to this light can suppress the production of Melatonin, a crucial hormone for maintaining healthy sleep-wake cycles. Studies have shown that using a tablet or smartphone for a couple of hours before bed can delay sleep by about an hour.
Twilight is an app designed to help mitigate these effects by adjusting your device's screen to adapt to the time of day. It filters out blue light after sunset, replacing it with a soothing red filter that protects your eyes. The intensity of this filter is smoothly adjusted based on local sunrise and sunset times, ensuring a seamless transition. Twilight is also compatible with Wear OS devices.
For detailed documentation, visit Twilight documentation.
Get More from Twilight
Bed Reading: Twilight enhances the night reading experience by providing a more eye-friendly environment. It can lower the screen's backlight beyond the standard controls, making it ideal for reading in bed.
AMOLED Screens: Our tests on AMOLED screens over five years show no signs of depletion or over-burning. Properly configured, Twilight reduces light emission by enabling dimming and ensures a more even light distribution, potentially extending your AMOLED screen's lifespan.
Basics on Circadian Rhythm and Melatonin
To learn more about these topics, check out these resources:
Permissions
Twilight requires certain permissions to function effectively:
- Location: To determine your local sunset and sunrise times.
- Running Apps: To disable Twilight in selected apps.
- Write Settings: To adjust the screen backlight.
- Network: To access smart light systems like Philips HUE to reduce blue light exposure in your home.
Accessibility Service
To filter notifications and lock screens, Twilight may request access to its Accessibility Service. This service is used solely to enhance screen filtering and does not collect personal data. For more information, visit Twilight Accessibility Service.
Wear OS
Twilight syncs your Wear OS screen with your phone's filter settings, and you can control the filtering via a "Wear OS Tile".
Automation (Tasker or Other)
For advanced users interested in automation, visit Twilight Automation.
Related Scientific Research
For those interested in the science behind Twilight, here are some relevant studies:
- Amplitude Reduction and Phase Shifts of Melatonin, Cortisol and Other Circadian Rhythms after a Gradual Advance of Sleep and Light Exposure in Humans - Derk-Jan Dijk, & Co, 2012
- Exposure to Room Light before Bedtime Suppresses Melatonin Onset and Shortens Melatonin Duration in Humans - Joshua J. Gooley, Kyle Chamberlain, Kurt A. Smith & Co, 2011
- Effect of Light on Human Circadian Physiology - Jeanne F. Duffy, Charles A. Czeisler, 2009
- Efficacy of a single sequence of intermittent bright light pulses for delaying circadian phase in humans - Claude Gronfier, Kenneth P. Wright, & Co, 2009
- Intrinsic period and light intensity determine the phase relationship between melatonin and sleep in humans - Kenneth P. Wright, Claude Gronfier & Co, 2009
- The Impact of Sleep Timing and Bright Light Exposure on Attentional Impairment during Night Work - Nayantara Santhi & Co, 2008
- Short-Wavelength Light Sensitivity of Circadian, Pupillary, and Visual Awareness in Humans Lacking an Outer Retina - Farhan H. Zaidi & Co, 2007
