I was thinking this evening about the changing seasons as I realized that we are soon to be in August. Here in Erie, PA we only get 160 total days of sunshine (this includes both sunny and partly sunny days). Out of 365 days a year, 205 days have more than 80% cloud coverage. I wondered what this limited exposure to sun does to the brain. We all know that Seasonal Affective Disorder exists, but I wondered if there were documented changes in the brain that occurred when people were exposed to more or less sunshine. A study done by an oncologist named David Fisher showed that when mice were exposed to sunlight they released a chemical called beta-endorphin, an opioid that is naturally produced by the brain. The production of beta-endorphin can produce similar results to the ingestion of heroin or other opioids. Interestingly enough, when the mice were given naloxone (better known as Narcan, a drug used to treat heroin overdoses) after exposure to sunlight for a period of time, the mice experienced withdrawal symptoms (paw tremors and chattering teeth).
Originally I was looking for changes that occurred to the brain without exposure to sunlight, but ultimately I got side tracked, which often happens when I start to research something. I am often drawn towards articles regarding addiction and the changes in the brain that occur with addiction. It fascinates me. I guess with the knowledge of how pleasure chemicals are produced when exposed to sunshine, it makes it easier to understand why people are always going to tanning beds or laying in the sun when there is all the evidence of how sun bathing can cause skin cancer. It makes sense now.
I used the following websites to obtain information for this blog:
Sincerely,
Bernadette Valentinetti, LPC
1353 West 6th St
Erie Pa 16505
(814) 616-3164