Chasing the Sun

Résumé du livre

Linda Geddes is a journalist who specializes in the sciences of technology, biology, and medicine. She’s worked as both a writer and editor for New Scientist, and has been the recipient of the Best Investigative Journalism award from the Association of British Science Writers.

The body’s internal clock, or suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), governs circadian rhythms, regulating vital processes like digestion, blood pressure, and energy levels, with sunlight playing a key role in maintaining this balance. Disruptions, such as those caused by daylight saving time (DST), can lead to widespread issues like social jet lag, prompting initiatives like Michael Wieden’s efforts in Bad Kissingen to promote natural rhythms over rigid schedules. Beyond DST, schools and businesses are adapting schedules and environments to align with internal clocks, improving performance and well-being. Circadian disruptions are linked to serious health concerns, including cancer, as seen in Seth Burton’s case, and mental health issues like seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which are mitigated through innovative solutions like light therapy, sun mirrors, and sauna practices. Historically, sunlight was valued for its healing properties, aiding conditions like rickets, though modern indoor lifestyles limit exposure, affecting both physical and mental health. Treatments like chronotherapy, championed by Francesco Benedetti, show promise for severe conditions like bipolar depression, resetting rhythms through methods such as light therapy and sleep deprivation, offering outcomes comparable to or better than antidepressants.

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