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Gambling behaviour is a persistent and growing societal problem. An unexplored factor that may encourage gambling behaviour is the impact of circadian photoreception on cognitive processes underlying the behaviour. We investigated the influence of circadian photoreception on loss aversion in gambling by altering the blue content of light while maintaining the same visual brightness. Fifteen participants (age 18–27 years, M  = 20.40, SD  = 2.03) completed an economic decision-making task under blue-enriched and blue-depleted light, of equivalent visual brightness, on separate occasions in a randomised order. The task required participants to choose between taking a risky gamble of a positive and negative outcome, or a less risky guaranteed outcome. Hierarchical Bayesian Modelling was conducted to derive individual parameter estimates for loss aversion, and trial-by-trial performance was analysed using linear mixed models. The findings demonstrated that individuals were significantly less loss averse under blue-enriched light compared to blue-depleted light (β = − .43, 95% CI [− .82, − .04], p  = .03). This study shows that exposure to light that preferentially targets circadian photoreception reduces loss aversion, which may encourage gambling behaviour.

Light assists in regulating mood, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase non-visual light sensitivity. It remains unclear whether light exposure patterns differ between individuals taking SSRIs compared to unmedicated individuals with no psychiatric history, or how everyday light exposure relates to mood and chronotype. This study examined objective light exposure (melanopic EDI) in relation to medication status (SSRI vs . control), mood symptoms, and chronotype. Participants ( n  = 76; 38 SSRIs, 38 controls) completed at least one week of field light monitoring using a wearable sensor and questionnaires assessing mood (DASS-21) and chronotype (MEQ). Overall light exposure did not differ between groups. However, when accounting for group, greater morning light exposure was associated with lower depressive and stress symptoms, and more time spent above 50 melanopic EDI was associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Greater morningness was linked to higher morning and daytime melanopic EDI, more time in bright light (>50 and >250 melanopic EDI), and differences in light regularity. These findings show that light exposure, particularly its timing and amount, relates to mood and chronotype, regardless of SSRI use. Future research targeting light behaviour may offer an accessible, cost-effective strategy for improving mood in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

While the COVID-19 has dramatically altered our lifestyle and sleep practices, the links between sleep, individual characteristics, personal experiences and mental health during the pandemic require further examination. This cross-sectional, multi-methods study examined differences in language used to describe personal experiences, and mental health, based on sleep quality during the early stages of the pandemic. N = 1745 participants (mean age 42.97 ± 14.46 years) from 63 countries responded to the survey. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and mental health was examined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale and the UCLA-Loneliness Scale. Quantitative analysis of qualitative, language content of personal experiences was conducted using free-text responses and comments to a question on the survey. Almost 50% of the participants reported poor sleep quality, which was linked to a more negative emotional tone and greater mentions of money or finance related words. Good sleepers reported more positive emotional tone in their experiences. Greater reports of clinical state anxiety, moderate depression and moderate stress were observed in poor sleepers, even after accounting for demographics and pandemic-related factors such as loneliness, financial concerns and risk of contracting COVID-19 disease. Results from this study highlight an urgent need for sleep-related public health interventions. Practitioner education, sleep screening for those with mental health conditions, and encouraging people to adopt digital tools may help to reduce the burden of poor sleep on mental health. While the pandemic itself is a stressful and uncertain time, improving sleep can support positive emotion regulation, improving mood and consequential action.