Do you think it’s a coincidence that people say they have a ‘dark cloud’ over their head when they’re anxious or depressed?
Think about how many people struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is fundamentally a problem of low solar yield in darker environments. In other words, these people aren’t getting enough sun and experiencing manifestations of depression solely because of it.
Let’s first begin with our understanding of the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene found in the brain. This is a gene found in all human beings and mammals which is fundamentally stimulated by light, which then produces the POMC protein that creates a host of powerful peptides.
Two of those peptides are beta-endorhpin and Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), both opioid peptides which are the frontline against anxiety and depression.
Through our understanding of this, we know that sunlight plays a massive role when it comes to brain and mental health.
NIR Light Penetrating The Brain
The brain has access to external near-infrared light from the sun
Sunlight penetrates through the skull, hits the cerebral spinal fluid, diffuses, gets into the crevices of the brain, and then stimulates the gray matter A healthy brain can’t exist without natural light exposure.
POMC Neurons & Depression
“Here we demonstrate that chronic restraint stress in mice results in hyperactivity of pro-opiomelanocortin neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (POMCARH neurons) associated with decreased neural activities of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (DAVTA neurons).”
AM Sunlight & Aromatic Amino Acids
Morning and midday sunlight is what stimulates the production of all aromatic amino acids which are the building blocks for neurotransmitters.
All aromatic amino acids are photon traps that absorb UV light.
Artifical Light & Destruction of the Brain
We understand that artificial light, especially at night, destroys every aspect of our biology. This applies most significantly to the brain which is most sensitive to all external input.
A few more things to think about:
Vitamin D3 and its role in mental health
Circadian disruption creating sleep issues and deprivation which most certainly increases rates of anxiety and depression
The use of artificially blue lit screens 24/7
Many more cases of anxiety and depression are due to a lack of education around light than you would like to believe. Maybe even most cases if we’re being honest with how bad the societal messaging has become.
There’s a lot more to this discussion, but I just wanted to get an article out for you guys to jog this idea in mind for now.
When you flip the light and dark cycle, you leave the door wide open for a permanent dark night of the soul.
Much love,
Zaid
Anecdotally, I know this to be true. When I go for a run in the morning and get some sunlight in my eyes as I look out over the lake, my days are measurably better. Thanks for writing, Zaid.