Life is a solar energy–dissipating structure. High-energy photons enter the system and are absorbed, emitted, reabsorbed, and re-emitted in a cascading process that ultimately releases lower-energy photons. This photonic cascade continuously excites electrons, activating molecules and atoms and enabling the downstream biochemical reactions that sustain life. Life on Earth is tuned to the electromagnetic spectrum of our Sun—from low-energy infrared to visible light to high-energy ultraviolet. When we deprive ourselves of the full spectrum, we deprive our biology of the inputs it evolved under, is adapted to, and depends upon for health, vitality, and coherent function. We are now facing a chronic disease epidemic of massive proportions. One of the greatest variables—and deepest root causes—is a widespread ultraviolet and infrared deficiency coupled with artificial blue-light toxicity, created by modern environments and lifestyles that disconnect us from the laws of nature—and from ourselves. It’s time to return to the light, reconnect with the source of life on Earth, and create environments that restore biological coherence rather than erode it.

We are dealing with widespread ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) deficiency syndromes, alongside visible blue light toxicity. From a first principles, root cause standpoint, addressing this (and offering stronger public education) would improve our health, wellness, and productivity while alleviating countless downstream problems across every sector of society.

By focusing on economic energy efficiency and removing infrared from our light sources while isolating the visible spectrum, we have created a biological energy deficiency. Infrared energy from incandescent light bulbs is not wasted heat — it is a critical driver of mitochondrial energy production, Exclusion Zone water expansion, and DNA repair. The push to ban incandescent lighting in favor of infrared-lacking and blue-enriched LEDs will only further drive and fuel America’s chronic illness epidemic.