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I wonder why I'm more tired on cloudy days? - Coggle Diagram
I wonder why I'm more tired on cloudy days?
Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and released in response to darkness.
Could the lack of sun be causing melatonin release even if it's not dark?
Is there a threshold for the amount of sunlight needed in order to supress melatonin?
Light at night (from lamps, tvs, etc) cause melatonin to be released later and for a shorter period of time.
Melatonin triggers sleepiness but there are also hormones that cause wakefulness.
Does the presence of melatonin suppress production of hormones that cause wakefulness?
Does the presence of hormones that cause wakefulness decrease melatonin production?
Trying to find a good image of melatonin biosynthesis sent me down a rabbit hole.
https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-209776
Tryptophan is synthesized to make serotonin and serotonin is synthesized to make melatonin!
Low levels of serotonin mean you're sleepier when you shouldn't be and not sleepy when you should be because you don't produce enough melatonin.
Less serotonin means less melatonin.
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Melatonin is synthesized from serotonin.
Serotonin production increases with exposure to light (and is associated with day).
Light inhibits melatonin release.
What about people who have disrupted circadian rhythms due to sleep disorders?
I have narcolepsy and I'm still sleepier on cloudy days.
People with narcolepsy lack orexin which leads to excessive daytime sleepiness.
Interesting study about the use of orexin for treatment of narcolepsy.
https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180701/http://www.journalsleep.org/Articles/270802.pdf
Many mental health conditions have sleep disturbance as a symptom.
Depression
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder is linked to the change in amount of sunlight in the Fall and Winter.
On cloudy days, we produce less serotonin and feel more sleepy!
It also explains why it's often hard to sleep at night after a dreary day (because less melatonin).
Anxiety Disorders
ADHD
Schizoprenia
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Dopamine and Serotonin linked.
Alzheimer's
Associated with lower dopamine and serotonin levels.
Parkinson's
I also have other things that could effect my sleep.
Light effects our circadian rhythm.
Seasonal changes in hours of day and night cause sleep disturbance for many with seasonal affective disorder.
Some people sleep too much and some people don't sleep enough. It's all based on a change to the internal clock that controls sleep/wake times (Circadian rhythm).
Using light therapy is an effective tool for seasonal depression.
Sun lamps regulate melatonin and serotonin production.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a common type of antidepressant.
SSRIs block the reuptake site for serotonin on a synapse. When the site is blocked, serotonin is available to be used on receptor sites (instead of broken down).
