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Comment by baccheion | Hacker News Reader

If the depression is seasonal, as is usually the case when SAD lamps are used, then it is very likely due to low vitamin D levels. Also, L-Tryptophan -> 5-HTP -> (crossed blood brain barrier) -> serotonin.

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Did you notice how the comments had links to more information from sources more reputable than xyz@HN? If you genuinely want to help people and are providing sound medical advice you should include the scientific literature supporting your statement; otherwise you are simply peddling false hope at best.

You should never get your hopes up. If it ends up working, then you can be happy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10888476

https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi...

> gives anti-depression advice

> "You should never get your hopes up"

/facepalm

Parent's just meeting people where they're at, no? ;)

That is an uncontrolled trial. However I did some more searches, and there do appear to be some trials showing improvement with vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo. However vitamin D wouldn't explain how a light box improves depression (as it won't affect vitamin D).

Probably the best option is to get out into the sunlight and get the sun on your skin, if the sun is high enough.

Light and Vitamin D could have independent mechanisms of action.

I was under the impression that light boxes worked by causing vitamin D synthesis in the skin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D#Synthesis_in_the_ski...

No, they don't produce enough UV.

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