Tanning and Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD

What Seasonal Affective Disorder Is, And What You Might Want To Do About It...

About SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder: Science tells us that a lack of

light (or exposure to the UV rays) causes our bodies to produce melatonin, which is a hormone that makes you want to sleep.

In winter, it's obviously cooler, and the days are significantly shorter. As a result, some people begin to experience reduced energy, and even depression. It has been proven that reduced exposure to light causes the pineal gland to produce a hormone (melatonin) that causes one to want to sleep. What does this have to do with seasonal affective disorder? We're getting there...

Since the sun is not out as often, and because the days are shorter, our bodies react as described above and we become sleepy. But this reaction to less light is not specific to the winter months. Those of us who are stuck in an office all day, or prefer to stay indoors, can experience the same effects.

But they are usually not quite as severe.

With that said, it gets a little more complicated. According to studies, serotonin (a neurotransmitter), is produced at opposing times as meltonin. Seratonin helps our body in many ways, such as temperature, blood pressure, and even appetite, memory, and even mood events. Metatonin is not produced at the same time as Seratonin. But when Melatonin is produced, Seratonin is significantly inhibited. And reduced levels of Seratonin has been said to cause nasty ailments such as chronic fatigue syndrome, mood swings, and it may even cause depression.

Seasonal Affective Disorder...

Apparently a link has been discovered between Seratonin and Melatonin and Seasonal Affective Disorder ...otherwise known as SAD. Signs of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may be depression, weight gain, irritability, headaches, joint pain, sleep issues and more. The primary cause of SAD is said to be caused as a result of not getting enough sunlight. Science has proven that sunlight can increase Seratonin levels, and increased the production of vitamin D. Vitamin D has many uses, but the one of important here is that it is a mood enhancer (for lack of a better description).

If you have ever experienced an better mood and increased energy as a result of a tanning session at a tanning salon, then you have probably experienced the effects UV has on increasing your seratonin and vitamin D levels. And this is probably a good thing! But obviously you shouldn't get overexposed. Too much UV is a bad thing. But moderate exposure may be a positive experience of your well being. Check with your doctor to be sure.

It has not been proven that a tanning session in a tanning bed is a proven treatment for SAD. But doctors are prescribing light therapy. Light therapy is a little bit different because if works on the body, and enters through the eyes as well. You do not want UV entering your eyes, and light therapy probably should not have UV rays associated with it. For specific information on light therapy, ask your doctor.

New studies are coming out all the time, and some doctor have even encouraged people to tan in a tanning bed once per week to treat depression. Again, speak with your doctor to be sure it's right for you.