Combatting Seasonal Depression with PBM Therapy
Don't Let SAD Get You Down!
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a disorder that can occur during the colder and darker months of the year. While the true cause of SAD remains unknown, this disorder is the product of:
Your biological clock (circadian rhythm) changing. The reduced level of sunlight may disrupt your body's internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.
Serotonin levels dropping, affecting mood and playing a role in SAD. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression.
Melatonin levels changing as the seasons change, disrupting the balance in the body, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.
Bottom line: natural light is hard to come by during the winter months. With sunset happening close to 5pm, people are finding it more and more difficult to get good, quality time in the sunshine. If you are feeling "off" lately, or are prone to SAD or seasonal depression, have no fear! Your friends at Cryo Recovery have a solution for you!
Photobiomodulation for SAD
Photobiomodulation, also known as Light Therapy, has been widely used in the treatment of mental health disorders, including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In fact, a 2010 study of 51 patients determined Light Therapy to be effective means of treating SAD.
Studies on light therapy and depression have yielded promising results. Recent trials have confirmed photobiomodulation’s anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects, all while producing no major side effects. Up until this point, traditional depression treatments are accompanied by the propensity for adverse side effects. Light therapy provides a low-risk, high-reward option for those looking for more non-invasive protocols.
When discussing the science behind WHY photobiomodulation therapy treatments work, scientists found that PBM increases antioxidant and serotonin levels, while decreasing cortisol, nitric oxide, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Photobiomodulation also helps with melatonin production, which can improve sleep. Sleep is a major contributor to mental health, and since melatonin production is an underlying factor in SAD, regulating this hormone could be key to preventing and treating seasonal disorders.
