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Journal Club with Dr. Peter Attia | Effects of Light & Dark on Mental Health & Treatments for Cancer

Huberman Lab

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Impact of Melanopsin Cells on Circadian Rhythms and Mood Regulation

Melanopsin intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells respond to two different types of light input and send information to the hypothalamus. The master circadian clock in the hypothalamus then sends out signals to regulate wakefulness and sleep. In addition to setting the circadian clock, these cells also have a direct line to the brain structures that control mood, triggering effects such as negative mood, release or suppression of dopamine, and release or suppression of serotonin. It's important to understand that these cells respond to two types of stimuli: very bright light, which is correlated with elevated mood, and another type that will likely be discussed later in the paper.

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