From:
SukieCrandall
Date: 2002-01-09 15:17:00 UTC
Subject: Re: photoperiods
--
There are multiple points being made:
First is to not have lengthy artificial lighting reducing the natural
melatonin production, since naturally produced (in the individual's
body) melatonin appears to possibly have important properties for
reducing the rates of some hormonal malignancies. The body produces
this melatonin in darkness.
The studies into melatonin began when a Swedish researcher noticed
that people with certain forms of blindness have reduced rates for
certain hormonal malignancies; that has to have been around a decade
ago now, with multiple studies since.
Second, that the introduction of melatonin from outside sources
(pills, etc.) can sometimes help reduce the symptoms of adrenal
neoplasias, and may help the body "re-set" after adrenal surgeries.
The recognition of the passage of time is yet a different theme, but
I am unsure at this point in what ways that may relate to the health
issues, esp. since crepuscular animals (dawn and dusk activity) who
are descended from burrow dwellers would hypothetically be well
adapted to sudden changes to full darkness.
Recall that enormous chunks of these concepts are hypothetical, which
certainly does not make them less interesting but is important to
remember.