Sunlight and Your Mood: How Light Affects Mental Health
To the degree we don't have that our biorhythms are off. In the morning the cortisol is low and they might sleep till three in the afternoon. Then you can't sleep and it multiplies as The Days go by. So if you want that contentment and if you want the melatonin at night, you have to at least have some meals that get tryptophan into your brain to create serotonin.
Have you ever wondered why your mood changes with the seasons? In this episode of 'Mind Matters', hosts Eva Edelman and Simone Jeanette dive into the fascinating relationship between sunlight and mental health. They explain how the cycles of light and dark can affect your hormone rhythms, influencing everything from serotonin and melatonin production to cortisol levels and sleep patterns. Ever heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
The hosts discuss how many people feel down in the winter but perk up in the summer, shedding light on why this happens. They also explore the intriguing idea that sensitivity to light changes could be a significant factor in bipolar disorder. Imagine how powerful it is to know that what you eat can help balance your mood.
Eva and Simone talk about the importance of nutrients like tryptophan, which helps create serotonin, and vitamin B6, which is crucial for converting tryptophan into serotonin. They also highlight the roles of Gaba and taurine in calming down over-stimulation from dopamine and norepinephrine. Feeling hypomanic? The hosts offer practical tips like avoiding too much sunlight and finding a quiet, dark room to relax in.
They also touch on the vital role of vitamin D for both bone health and mood regulation. And yes, they even discuss how alcohol can make depression worse. This episode is packed with useful advice and scientific insights, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in natural ways to support their mental health.