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seasonal affective disorder

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·November 2, 2025·4 min read

Don’t Ignore the Winter Blues, It Could Be Seasonal Depression

As daylight fades, many experience fatigue or low mood—but for millions, these symptoms signal seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a serious form of depression. Reduced sunlight disrupts serotonin, melatonin, and the body’s circadian rhythm, leading to feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest, and sleep or appetite changes.

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·May 29, 2025·5 min read

Seasonal Sunlight Still Shapes Human Sleep

Despite modern lighting and lifestyle, human sleep patterns remain deeply influenced by seasonal changes in sunlight. New research reveals that our circadian rhythms track daylight shifts across seasons, impacting mood, sleep alignment, and overall health.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2022·3 min read

Ease Seasonal Affective Disorder With an Exercise Routine

Exercise can help improve mood and overall symptoms of those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 7, 2022·5 min read

Brain Pathway That Helps to Explain Light’s Effect on Mood Discovered

Neuroimaging study reveals how light-sensitive signals reach the brain and how regions associated with mood process those signals. Some regions of the cerebral cortex associated with cognitive and mood processing show sensitivity to light intensity.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 4, 2022·3 min read

Beating Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) impacts the lives of 5% of adults in the US. Researchers explore the best ways in which sufferers of SAD can improve their symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 23, 2021·4 min read

Seasonal Variation in Daylight Influences Brain Function

The seasonal duration of daylight influences the number of opioid receptors in the brain. The findings shed new light on a potential mechanism behind seasonal affective disorder.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 13, 2020·2 min read

Discovery of a drug to rescue winter depression-like behavior

Fish model study found a potential target for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Researchers implicated NRF2 in seasonal depression and reported celastrol may help in the treatment of SAD.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 11, 2020·8 min read

Novel melatonin receptor molecules make possible therapies to adjust biological clock

Researchers identified molecules that can modulate circadian rhythms by binding to the MT1 melatonin receptor in the hypothalamus.

This shows a sad looking woman sitting in a forest with bare trees and leaves on the ground

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 2, 2019·4 min read

Seasonal Affective Disorder Impacts 10 Million Americans. Are You One of Them?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects over 10 million people in the US. Find out the symptoms and treatment options available.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 6, 2019·5 min read

Dogs mirror owner’s stress

Researchers identify an interspecies correlation between hair cortisol concentrations in humans and dogs during summer and winter months. The cortisol levels were not affected by the amount of activity the dog had during these periods. The study reveals a seasonal effect in higher cortisol levels between humans and animals, and human personality traits significantly affected the dog's level of stress. Findings suggest that dogs often mirror the stress levels of their owners.

Featured Psychology

·October 10, 2018·4 min read

Why Some Are More Prone To Depression Than Others

A new study reports people may be able to avoid depression, even if they have a genetic predisposition to SAD, by maintaining or boosting serotonin levels throughout the year.

Featured Psychology

·October 10, 2017·5 min read

Bright Light Therapy at Midday Helps Bipolar Patients

A treatment shown to improve symptoms of SAD has proven to be effective for treating bipolar disorder. Researchers report a six week course of bright light therapy improves symptoms of depression and daily functioning for bipolar patients.