Dopamine Impacts, Digital Habits with Anjan Katta of Daylight Computer

We interviewed Anjan Katta of Daylight Computer about the dopamine impacts of digital habits and blue-screen devices. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.

Blue Light from Screens and Devices Is Addictive

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, with wavelengths between 400-480 nm (nanometers). Research shows that exposure to blue light, particularly at wavelengths around 440 nm and 460 nm, stimulates the production of dopamine in the body, including in the eyes.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates reward, motivation, movement, mood, and cognition. It is released because pleasurable experiences activate the brain’s reward center. This causes the brain to pay more focus and attention to the activity that lead to the dopamine release. Because smartphones and other screens output high levels of blue light, they can be stimulating and potentially addictive.

Blue Light Also Raises Cortisol and Blood Sugar

Blue light is most concentrated in sunlight in the early morning. A body in sync with the rhythm of the sun will typically wake up early in the morning because of exposure to blue-intense sunlight. Blue light stimulates the body via the pineal gland to produce cortisol and suppress melatonin. This is an ideal situation for early morning because in general, cortisol is highest and melatonin lowest in the morning. Cortisol is a hormone that revs up the body, while melatonin is a hormone that promotes sleep. A person with this kind of hormone profile in the morning will generally feel energetic and ready to take on the day because their hormones are in sync with their circadian rhythm.

However, when there is more blue light — typically from screens and artificial lighting, especially fluorescent lighting — towards the end of the day when there is naturally more red light and less blue light in sunlight, then this could cause a hormonal shift that is out of sync. In this case, a person might feel anxious, distracted, hyper-stimulated or unable to sleep because there is more cortisol and less melatonin. This situation is exacerbated when there are bright, blue-containing lights at night, when there really should be no or very little light. In addition, blue lights, especially at night, have been documented to raise the risk of blood-sugar dysregulation and type 2 diabetes (see Sources & References, below).

In This Webinar

Anjan Katta, the CEO of Daylight Computer, helped us to answer the questions:

• Why are screens and devices so addictive?
• Can blue light from screens and devices harm our health? How?
• Is this why casinos are full of artificial lights and screens and devoid of natural light?
• How does a screen’s flicker contribute to eye strain and addictiveness?
• How do Daylight Computer’s screens differ from using an app such as Iris or blue-blocking glasses to control blue light exposure?

Key Discussions

Dopamine Impacts of Digital Devices

Modern digital devices—especially screens with flicker and blue light—stimulate and dysregulate our dopamine systems far more than we realize. This leads to addictive behaviors and a physiological “black hole” effect, especially pronounced in sensitive people. The artificial dopamine hits from digital content make returning to the offline world feel dull by comparison.

Technology Design and Health

The addictive and exhausting nature of current screens isn’t just about the software (like social media algorithms), but also deeply tied to hardware factors: bright artificial light, blue light, oversaturation, and especially screen flicker. Addressing only content and not physical design is a missed opportunity for healthier technology use. Daylight Computer aims to solve this by changing how screens emit light and eliminating these problematic factors.

Special Vulnerability of People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Children, especially those with autism, ADHD and SPD), are far more susceptible to negative effects from digital devices. Screens can overstimulate, distract, and harm social, emotional, and cognitive development. The concern is shared even by top tech executives, who often limit or prohibit device use for their own children, underscoring the seriousness of the problem.

Environmental and Physiological Consequences of Screen Use

The impacts of screen exposure go beyond immediate distraction—they influence sleep, hormones, blood sugar, and long-term well-being. Blue light disrupts circadian rhythms, increases cortisol, and impairs metabolic processes. Continuous exposure, especially in poor-lighting environments (like schools or at night), can lead to chronic health and behavioral issues.

Designing Healthier Alternatives and Social Responsibility

There are actionable, technology-based solutions: building computers/tablets (like Daylight’s) that minimize or eliminate blue light, flicker, and over-brightness, use grayscale reflective displays (much like paper under natural light), support wired over WiFi, and have intentionally “boring” interfaces to reduce compulsive use. The goal is not to eradicate tech, but to create tools that can coexist with health and well-being—grounded in the principle of public benefit.

Timestamped Overview

About Anjan Katta

Disclaimer

This expert interview is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Documenting Hope has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this expert interview.

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