Light Therapy

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression usually triggered by lack of light in winter. In Sweden, where winter gloom is extremely long, approximately 20% of its population (almost 2 million people) are said to be SAD sufferers.

The sensation I get from Ingmar Bergman movies would be comparable to that of winter blue?

Some say the most effective clinically proven remedy for SAD is light therapy as studies have seen the benefits to 80-85 % of cases.  More precisely, by sitting in front of specially designed illumination with UV-free lighting to the strength at minimum of 2,500 lux (a lux is a unit of illuminance. The average domestic or office light emits  200-500 lux and a clear summer day can reach  an intensity of 100,000 lux.)  for designated time and period each day, evidently alleviates the symptoms of SAD such as depression, anxiety, oversleeping, loss of energy, appetite gain (especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates), weight gain and attention deficits.    

A short reportage by AFP, Beating Winter Blues: Light Therapy in Sweden, features an light café in Sweden where costumers undergo an hour of light therapy before they go off to work. 

Reference: Insider's Guide: SAD, Choosing a Light Therapy Box,  Unique Light Therapy Products, 

Circadian Rhythms and Light

A circadian rhythm is roughly 24 hour cycle in the biological process which can be observed in living beings, including plants, animals, fungi and cyanobacteria. This cycle provides time of day and time of year information to the brain and body which can be modulated on a daily basis by external cues such as sunlight and temperature to prevail light and dark cycle.

Yuri Endo 2012

Scientific evidence suggests that disturbance in the circadian system (the melatonin cycle) may result in poor sleep quality, low productivity, seasonal depression, and immune deficiencies. Among many others, jet lag and bipolar disorder  are also believed to be the repercussions of circadian rhythm disturbance. 

Studies have also shown that light has a direct effect on human performance and well-being on account of the way it influences the circadian rhythms, especially the body's release of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our sleep cycle. In that sense, it is said that  the use of melatonin help entrain the circadian clock to environmental cycles. In the USA, melatonin tablets are sold as dietary supplement which are available at convenience stores without prescription. Whereas in many other countries, it is available only on prescription or not at all.  Above image shows the bottle of melatonin tablets that I take as a jet lag cure or simply when I have trouble sleeping at night. (As I felt mild hallucinogetic sensation, to say the least, rather than drowsiness from 5mm tablets, I am currently on  3mm and have not yet to try out 1mm.) 

Eat the Sun

Another engaging film referral from Professor Hall, Eat the Sun, focuses on Mason Dwinell's journey into the world of Sungazing, an ancient practice of looking directly at the sun for long periods of time as a source of biological and spiritual nourishment.

According to HRM, Mason's indian sungazing instructor, one's goal is to reach 44 minutes of looking directly at the sun, which could take 9 to 12 months to achieve. In the process, one would be cured all mental and physical aliments and consequently would be able to subsisted solely on solar energy and water without the desire or need to eat food. Many also claim that it also results in better eye vision and more vibrant and productive life. 

Unsurprisingly, there is neither a scientific proof nor biochemical possibility to support this practice. As a result, many sungazers including the protagonist himself had damaged their eyes in the process. Despite this fact and even after the guru, HRM, himself admitted that he eats when his body compels him, apparently avid followers still exist (or might be expanding its numbers as organizations) all over the world. 

After having experienced the horror of The Sarin Attack on the Tokyo Subway, and also surviving the notorious teenage battlefields in Japan, the mare thought of belonging in a group, either spiritually or socially, already makes me skeptical to begin with, unlike the individuals introduced in the film, I never had the urge  to seek some form of salvation through ritual activity or spiritual knowledge. In that sense, this film was an intriguing reference for recognizing one particular brief from "the other side,"  and its connection with Sun as energy which they believe as a component one can physically collect and consume for nourishment. 

Last but not least, I cannot help but wonder if this practice had any measurable effects on human circadian rhythms which believed to be directly connected with daylight and our performance/well-being. ( Not in the sense that Sugazers clam but as a scientific fact.) On that note, I would expand this notes to further research on this particular biological process.