Sleeping in rooms with even a little light can increase risk of depression • Hacker News Board

Re: Sleeping in rooms with even a little light can increase risk of depression

#111

Post by thinkingemote » Tue, Mar 13, 2018, 10:07 AM UTC

Herodotus38 wrote: post #44

In prehistoric times, before shelter was common, would a half or full moon cause the same effect? I just wonder about how actually natural a pitch black sleep is.

Maybe monkeys or apes on the ground have thicker eyelids to block out the light? And do they sleep differently in general? http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150415-apes-reveal-sleep-se... might shed some light (!)

But I'd think that humans have always had shelter. Or is there evidence of communities sleeping out in the open?

Re: Sleeping in rooms with even a little light can increase risk of depression

#112

Post by boomboomsubban » Tue, Mar 13, 2018, 9:51 PM UTC

homero wrote: post #110

boomboomsubban wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>So later on in life if I didn't remember that, I'd think that I just had a light on and now I'm depressed. What? Anyway, this study has strict definitions of what "depression" is, and I doubt whatever you felt as a child would qualify. >Much like they say red meat causes cancer, I don't think it's the red meat. I think it's how it's cooked. Red meat is usually barbecued and that char is what could be causing the can…

If I didn't remember why I wanted light on. They would be right about red meat but the point would be lost if people begin switching to bbqing chicken and still get cancer.

I still think you're confusing whatever feelings you felt with clinical depression.

>They would be right about red meat but the point would be lost if people begin switching to bbqing chicken and still get cancer.

The study was showing a link they found, they weren't giving a diet recommendation. But, it would only be lost if your guess was correct and everybody that made the switch barbecued as much chicken as they did beef. Otherwise, fewer people would develop cancer than if the scientific study had not been published.

Re: Sleeping in rooms with even a little light can increase risk of depression

#113

Post by jedgardyson » Tue, Mar 13, 2018, 11:51 PM UTC

reificator wrote: post #30

computator wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Skimming the original study, it talks about subjects opening and closing their eyes, so I would very much assume that it's entirely related to seeing light (and not about absorbing light through the face or body). If you get a sleep mask, be sure to look for one designed to not put pressure on your eyes, which are not hard to find if you seek it out. The cheap ones you get at pharmacies and dollar stores put direct p…

I just discovered sleep masks, and they've changed my life. I bought some on Amazon and got a few different kinds (from the same listing, which is frustrating). All of them have a dome that bulges out over each eye. The most comfortable one I have looks like an eye bra, but unfortunately I can't find a place to order more.

this. there are cheap silk ones as well for people who don't mind the fabric on their eyes.