Doppler Effect: can light waves have different effects, depending on your speed?

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I have a question about of light waves. Moving at high speeds toward or away from visible light could be the difference of experiencing that light as violet or red. Of course this experience is due to the photoreceptors in the eye seemingly experiencing a shorter or longer wavelength. My question is: Is this effect real, or specifically an illusion that the eye experiences? To clarify, if theoretically you could travel toward electromagnetic radiation quickly enough-- let's say in the infrared range-- could you really be experiencing the radiation in the form of microwaves (would water you had with you heat up)?

Essentially, can the speed at which you approach EMR change the effects that radiation has on you because of a change in the wavelength of radiation you experience? Thanks.
 
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The doppler shift is absolutely real, and in no way tied to how humans perceive light. The light really does get a longer/shorter wavelength, and everything that comes with this. I.e. if I'm in a box with a glass window getting bombarded by microwaves, I cannot tell if someone has opened the microwave door and is pointing it at me or I am simply receding very quickly from my friend's flashlight.