The bright lights of the big cities can be all very exciting, enticing party-goers and night owls out into the evening.But when the city never sleeps, it's our mental health that is suffering as scientists warn that 24-hour lighting is leaving us feeling blue.
The fluorescent streets lights that keep us safe at night can affect residents' ability to sleep and psychologists have now confirmed that being unable to reach the solace of the dark can be harmful to the personality.
Researchers at Ohio State University studied the effect of permanent light on mice, while another group were able to escape to a dark tube.
Those that could settle down away from the light showed less evidence of depressive symptoms.
Laura Fonken, who led the study, told the Daily Mail: "The ability to escape light seemed to quell the depressive effects.
"But constant light with no chance of escape increased depressive symptoms."
And co-author Professor Randy Nelson added: "The increasing rate of depressive disorders in humans corresponds with the increasing use of light at night in modern society.
"Many people are now exposed to unnatural light cycles and that may have real consequences for our health."
Let us know what you think. Have you been affected by 24-hours light?
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