Sun light pain relief

[Chad]

I commented in the Keto - pathway to transformation thread, that i had experienced a real quickening in my recovery from whiplash since beginning the fat bomb. The other practice that i had found to be beneficial and i wasn't sure why exactly

The only other huge benefit I have found is an hour in the hot sunshine. It's probably best to be cautious when accepting advice from 'an Englishman' regarding sun exposure, but the heat, and perhaps even the boost the chemical reactions in your body create when exposed, felt as though I had had a massage and a serotonin boost (i found the sunbed in winter helped too

and today i stumble across: Is the sun getting you high? _http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2014/06/sun-getting-you-high?rss=1

and i followed the link to the study abstract

Skin β-Endorphin Mediates Addiction to UV Light

Highlights

•UV exposure leads to elevated blood levels of β-endorphin in mice
•UV causes systemic analgesia that is reversible with opioid receptor blockade
•Chronic UV causes dependency and “addiction”-like behavior
•Addiction-like behaviors require keratinocyte signaling and β-endorphin expression

_http://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674%2814%2900611-4

Now i may be bias, but i think the study may be flawed due to the nature of mice skins and ours, the function of sunlight for us and how we.. process it. I also think this study operates on the premise that UV addiction is a very real problem and is bias, and possibly even be operating on behalf of an ideology. It seems to me the 'fear the sunshine' brigade, whilst very powerful before, are beginning to wane and their are many studies hailing the benefits of moderate sun exposre, as well as studies stating the UV creams contain carcinogenic chemicals. Which reminds me, this study was apparently motivated by:

From ScienceMag
Those factors led David Fisher, a physician and skin researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, to wonder, “Could there be something deeper that’s driving people—despite their knowledge and intent to be safe—to put themselves in harm’s way?”

the study abstract:

Summary

UV light is an established carcinogen, yet evidence suggests that UV-seeking behavior has addictive features. Following UV exposure, epidermal keratinocytes synthesize proopiomelanocortin (POMC) that is processed to melanocyte-stimulating hormone, inducing tanning. We show that, in rodents, another POMC-derived peptide, β-endorphin, is coordinately synthesized in skin, elevating plasma levels after low-dose UV. Increases in pain-related thresholds are observed and reversed by pharmacologic opioid antagonism. Opioid blockade also elicits withdrawal signs after chronic UV exposure. This effect was sufficient to guide operant behavioral choices to avoidance of opioid withdrawal (conditioned place aversion). These UV-induced nociceptive and behavioral effects were absent in β-endorphin knockout mice and in mice lacking p53-mediated POMC induction in epidermal keratinocytes. Although primordial UV addiction, mediated by the hedonic action of β-endorphin and anhedonic effects of withdrawal, may theoretically have enhanced evolutionary vitamin D biosynthesis, it now may contribute to the relentless rise in skin cancer incidence in humans.

is that true? Sunlight is carcinogen? But to what extent as it also states it may have been an evolutionary practice as we need sunlight to convert vitamin D.

So the article from Science Mag does state:

“I thought it was quite elegant, a very nicely done study,” says Bryon Adinoff, a psychiatrist at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care Center and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas who studies drug and alcohol abuse. “But I don’t believe what they demonstrate says anything about addiction,” he says. “Addiction is when you start doctor shopping to get more, going on the streets to find some, and stealing to support your habit. They did not approach it from the perspective of how much will an animal seek out UV light.”

Still, Adinoff thinks the study shows a pretty decisive link between UV radiation’s effect on the skin and how it spurs the production of chemicals that induce feelings of reward in humans and animals.
[...]
“I have nothing good to say about tanning salons,” Fisher says. “I think they’re addictive, they elevate your risks for skin cancer, and now there’s the concept that they cause a behavioral dependency—it’s the nicotine story all over again.”

Considering a large proportion of people, especially in the developed world, are stuck in offices 5 of 7 days and see the sunlight at lunchtime and the weekend. Who is this guy thinking of? And what is his motivation really?

•UV causes systemic analgesia

An analgesic, or painkiller, is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve analgesia — relief from pain. The word analgesic derives from Greek ἀν-, "without", and ἄλγος, "pain".[1] _http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analgesic

My reason for posting is perhaps to just share the above *cough* study, and actually, because i do think i felt a significant reduction in pain (but then i'm just a UV addict dribbling on my sun lounger), which was all over my back and shoulders and would only get worse from the moment i woke up. I noticed if i got a good hour of serious sunshine (only possible in the UK for about 3 months a year, i reckon) yes i would feel lighter due to the warmth and the obvious boost you feel due to the 'chemical reaction' as i said. But this study states there are analgesic effects. And whilst i don't promote lying in the sun for 3 months, whilst in recovery, people will take anything that will ease their pains, why on Earth would you not use something like sunlight??

Edit: deactived links

 

[Galaxia2002]

hi Itellsya, I don't know if your location has an influence in reduce the amount of radiation you are receiving but here in the tropics an hour of exposition is too much. is your skin good after so many time of exposition? are you taking the proper measures for a safe exposition?

You would like to read this:

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/26/maximizing-vitamin-d-exposure.aspx

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/16/sun-can-protect-you-against-skin-cancer.aspx

 

[theos]

I really enjoy soaking up the sun. I was feeling a bit run down last weekend but noticed that after spending about a hour in the hot sun left me feeling invigorated. I've noticed the opposite effect too, so it's best to not overdo it with excess physical activity. IMO, catching rays should be a lazy, meditative like experience.

As far as sunlight and pain relief, my mum notes that sunshine makes her arthritic knees feel better.

 

[MusicMan]

I feel that sunlight is healing my body.
I worked for years as a shift worker on 12 hour shifts in a place that had no windows, and discovered after I retired that I had lost 4.5 centimetres in height.
So I started using the sun to boost my vitamin D levels, and thus help bone regrowth.
I heard that 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon is optimal for absorbing vitamin D, so I try to get at least that much sun, and expose as much of my skin as I possibly can.
This is hard in the depths of the Australian winter, but if the temperature is over twelve degrees centigrade, I consider that to be safe enough to avoid pneumonia.
Relaxing in the sun with a beer and a crossword is a great way to enjoy retired life.
and while part of my brain is considering the crossword or sudoku, the other part can ponder life's little problems.

 

[herondancer]

I feel that sunlight is healing my body.
I worked for years as a shift worker on 12 hour shifts in a place that had no windows, and discovered after I retired that I had lost 4.5 centimetres in height.
So I started using the sun to boost my vitamin D levels, and thus help bone regrowth.
I heard that 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon is optimal for absorbing vitamin D, so I try to get at least that much sun, and expose as much of my skin as I possibly can.
This is hard in the depths of the Australian winter, but if the temperature is over twelve degrees centigrade, I consider that to be safe enough to avoid pneumonia.
Relaxing in the sun with a beer and a crossword is a great way to enjoy retired life.
and while part of my brain is considering the crossword or sudoku, the other part can ponder life's little problems.

You might optimize your sun exposure even more if beer was not part of the equation. Beer contains gluten, and it's a huge source of carbs. Have you looked at any of the Diet and Health threads or read about the Ketogenic diet? There's a special thread about Vit D too.

Happy reading! :)

 

[Chad]

hi Itellsya, I don't know if your location has an influence in reduce the amount of radiation you are receiving but here in the tropics an hour of exposition is too much. is your skin good after so many time of exposition? are you taking the proper measures for a safe exposition?

You would like to read this:

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/26/maximizing-vitamin-d-exposure.aspx

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/16/sun-can-protect-you-against-skin-cancer.aspx

Thanks for the links Galaxia2002. Getting too much sun in NW England isn't a major problem ;) but i understand your concern, and perhaps where you live, an hour may be too much. That said, the study does show there is a reaction which - depending on your interpretation - could be beneficial due to the pain relieving qualities. And it is interesting reading the other comments as they do seem to support this.

We just had a run of a few days of sunshine, after a few days of a totally cloud covered sky, and i was very much relieved to spend some more time in the sun.

I hadn't yet read the Vit D/Lard post - even though i see it is a stickied topic! - so thank you for the link HeronDancer, it actually clears up some Q's i had.

MusicMan
I heard that 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon is optimal for absorbing vitamin D

And i have read/heard quite a few times that this also helps to 'reset' your circadian clock, helping you to sleep at the right times etc..

Odyssey
IMO, catching rays should be a lazy, meditative like experience.

I have trouble sitting still and generally meditating, however i have tried the pipe/3 stage breathing from EE when sat directly in the sun and i find it really helps to ease the tension in my muscles (whether by the heat or the chemical reaction produced) which allows me to focus more on my breathing and i can get into quite a blissful state, sometimes.

 

[cubbex]

Well, this explains why when I get into the sun I feel this thing pressing on my head's sides. If I get too much sun, I get a horrible headache, if I get a proper amount every one in a while it sorts of provides recharge.

I prefer to take my vit D in mega doses, as i'm the type that prefer shadowy places more than shiny ones.

 

[edgitarra]

It is said that if one wants to stay in the sun's rays it is recommended to be done in the morning until around 12:00 o'clock maximum. Between 12:00 - 18:00 o'clock it is very unlikely to stay in the sun, since it can bring insolation - sun stroke. Hence the headaches, fever, nausea etc.

I think there is a certain combination of light and umidity in the air which helps extremely in the morning time, and afterwards it becomes a danger.

 

[loreta]

I love to take sun, it cures my depression and anguish and also if something hurts in my body I feel better after taking sun. Sun also calms me and make me meditate, I can think about things under another light. I can not conceive a life without sun, the warm of the sun, his light, his force and energy. I have IBS and when I take sun I feel much much better. Sun is my god, really. Maybe that's why I came to the Canaries Islands?

 

[Skyalmian]

Weird. The sun has nothing but detrimental effects to me (though not blatantly obvious like burned skin or some such), it seems. I've spent more of my life nocturnal than diurnal (1-4pm to 5-8am awake time), with the switch to daytime only from moving to Hawai'i in February 2013, and it has been the worst now with nothing but wide open windows and near-direct sunlight all the time. In the past, at night, peak awareness, clarity, perception, memory etc. was always around 2am, which I only recently learned was peak melatonin time:

The peak of melatonin production appears to be at 2:00 a.m. Melatonin levels rise when the sun goes down and decrease after 2:00a.m.

Melatonin on the other hand, is a chemical produced in the darkness, most specifically when you are sleeping. This chemical helps us maintain our circadian rhythm, the natural balance of when we wake and when we sleep. With high exposure to light and the sun, melatonin manufacturing is suppressed and levels decrease, causing an imbalance with other metabolic chemicals. Therefore, when you move from the sun to shade, melatonin must be produced in excess to compete with the imbalance. This will cause a greater amount of melatonin, resulting in a sleepiness, fatigue and a drowsy, almost lazy state of mind.

It's not this bad for me, but maybe 66% of it:

I can't focus, I have trouble keeping my eyes open, I'm disoriented, my mind is foggy, I have every symptom of severe fatigue. When I move into a room with little or no natural light, my mind clears and I wake up. I am alert and focused at night or in moderate artficial lighting. Strong fluorescent or full spectrum lights cause the sleepiness as well, but not as severely as sunlight. Even if I have had a full night's sleep and have only been awake for an hour or two, I can fall asleep in a sunny room. This doesn't happen in a dark or artificially lit room.

Sungazing, as described here:

To reiterate, the idea isn't to look at the sun, the idea is to stimulate the optic nerve with a significant amount of UVB radiation, minimizing UVA and infrared exposure in the process. Typical sungazing instructions have you sungazing during sunrise and sunset, but that has your UVA and infrared exposure maximized.

was the worst, completely removing all awareness, clarity, perception etc. for days.

(Though opposite the subject of the thread, maybe this material is still of use.)

 

[lainey]

I have trouble sitting still and generally meditating, however i have tried the pipe/3 stage breathing from EE when sat directly in the sun and i find it really helps to ease the tension in my muscles (whether by the heat or the chemical reaction produced) which allows me to focus more on my breathing and i can get into quite a blissful state, sometimes.

How is your diet? Perhaps the sitting still thing is a result of what you are eating. I find practicing yoga to be very calming. Also doing the work helps to de-clutter my life and thinking, leading to a peaceful mind. Do you have any stresses or anxieties that you can work through to be able to still yourself?

 

[Chad]

I have trouble sitting still and generally meditating, however i have tried the pipe/3 stage breathing from EE when sat directly in the sun and i find it really helps to ease the tension in my muscles (whether by the heat or the chemical reaction produced) which allows me to focus more on my breathing and i can get into quite a blissful state, sometimes.

How is your diet? Perhaps the sitting still thing is a result of what you are eating. I find practicing yoga to be very calming. Also doing the work helps to de-clutter my life and thinking, leading to a peaceful mind. Do you have any stresses or anxieties that you can work through to be able to still yourself?

Hi Lainey. I think this my first post may answer some:

I commented in the Keto - pathway to transformation thread, that i had experienced a real quickening in my recovery from whiplash since beginning the fat bomb. The other practice that i had found to be beneficial [is sunlight]

As for any issues to be working through, well i don't know anyone who has completely purified themselves and i for one am diligently at work. I have childhood trauma - abusive alcoholic father, for starters - that i am (still) processing and it does effect my ability to relax and concentrate because my teenage years were rather 'high energy'; it's quite subtle but ever present.

The reason i posted was because i'd found sunlight to help 'get you centered' that bit quicker, the study kinda hinted why, and sometimes you need a few tips on the way to transformation! ;)

I think i have a 'strong moving centre' as well, and have found that before i can attempt any exercises in concentration, like meditation, i need to have used up some energy and loosened up; i stretch everyday for an hour (which i began because of the whiplash) and EE does something similar by oxygenating those tense areas. And when i remember, i do spinning. Probably the most helpful with purging the trauma and recognising how i become tense (not just because of the whiplash) will be EE, i've found it tricky because breathing at times has been restricted.

It seems sitting still is one of the plagues of society, and with all the studies being released showing how 25minutes of meditation a day is so good for your peace of mind. There was that Sott article 'people would prefer to be elctroshocked than be left with their own thoughts'; I'm not that bad but it's something i need to continue working on.

http://www.sott.net/article/281385-People-would-rather-be-electrically-shocked-than-left-alone-with-their-thoughts

Weird. The sun has nothing but detrimental effects to me (though not blatantly obvious like burned skin or some such), it seems. I've spent more of my life nocturnal than diurnal (1-4pm to 5-8am awake time), with the switch to daytime only from moving to Hawai'i in February 2013, and it has been the worst now with nothing but wide open windows and near-direct sunlight all the time. In the past, at night, peak awareness, clarity, perception, memory etc. was always around 2am, which I only recently learned was peak melatonin time:

The peak of melatonin production appears to be at 2:00 a.m. Melatonin levels rise when the sun goes down and decrease after 2:00a.m.

Melatonin on the other hand, is a chemical produced in the darkness, most specifically when you are sleeping. This chemical helps us maintain our circadian rhythm, the natural balance of when we wake and when we sleep. With high exposure to light and the sun, melatonin manufacturing is suppressed and levels decrease, causing an imbalance with other metabolic chemicals. Therefore, when you move from the sun to shade, melatonin must be produced in excess to compete with the imbalance. This will cause a greater amount of melatonin, resulting in a sleepiness, fatigue and a drowsy, almost lazy state of mind.

That is so interesting Skyalmian. Particularly because i was thinking that i can feel very energised (mostly this is the case), like Loreta, BUT if i've been out ALL day and the Sun has been intense (quite rare in the UK, except for today!) i can feel quite exhausted, and i was wondering why that could be!

Now that seems to correlate, in some ways, to the idea that 20 minutes of sunlight - in your eyes, rather than sunbathing - is what is suggested to help 'reset' your circadian rhythms. I struggle with mornings and for most of my life i have been nocturnal and given a chance that's my default, however i have been doing my best to change this. Sunlight being one of the tricks. I think Hawaii might make me wake up in the mornings happy ;D (and the change in your rhythm may be because you are now getting a full blast of sunshine, and heat, before breakfast?)

 

[Skyalmian]

Now that seems to correlate, in some ways, to the idea that 20 minutes of sunlight - in your eyes, rather than sunbathing - is what is suggested to help 'reset' your circadian rhythms. I struggle with mornings and for most of my life I have been nocturnal and given a chance that's my default, however I have been doing my best to change this. Sunlight being one of the tricks. I think Hawai'i might make me wake up in the mornings happy ;D (and the change in your rhythm may be because you are now getting a full blast of sunshine, and heat, before breakfast?)

If one is predisposed to being nocturnal, then be nocturnal. Not everyone is diurnal, or can be.

(and the change in your rhythm may be because you are now getting a full blast of sunshine, and heat, before breakfast?)

For myself, again, I cannot say this (Hawai'i, too much sunlight) is a positive change, as again, overall awareness, creativity, focus, memory etc. have fallen hard since 2013 and continue to be low to this day (post), only "waking up" (in the real sense) at night.

 

[loreta]

I remember when I went to Togo there was a lot of sun but also a lot of heat. And if the heat is too strong I am unable to feel well even if there is sun. In Togo the temperature was 50 c. in shade. Too much.

Sun with a good heat, not too much not too little, is marvelous.

When I say to people that it is important to be without sunglasses and not putting sun creams on your body they look at me as if I was an extraterrestrial. ;) Maybe we are.

In Las Palmas the temperature is fantastic, I mean in the city. There is an expression to named all the clouds that are almost here always and permit a good temperature, not too hot: "panza del burro" that means the belly of the donkey. :D

 

[cubbex]

Skyalmian thanks for the quotes and the post, I understand better now why i'm sensitive to light. And thanks edgitarra, this explains why I only can tolerate sun on the mornings, well, is kind of dangerous to receive light after 12 as is the moment the sun is right above you.

I think i have a 'strong moving centre' as well, and have found that before i can attempt any exercises in concentration, like meditation, i need to have used up some energy and loosened up; i stretch everyday for an hour (which i began because of the whiplash) and EE does something similar by oxygenating those tense areas. And when i remember, i do spinning. Probably the most helpful with purging the trauma and recognising how i become tense (not just because of the whiplash) will be EE, i've found it tricky because breathing at times has been restricted.

Now that seems to correlate, in some ways, to the idea that 20 minutes of sunlight - in your eyes, rather than sunbathing - is what is suggested to help 'reset' your circadian rhythms. I struggle with mornings and for most of my life i have been nocturnal and given a chance that's my default, however i have been doing my best to change this. Sunlight being one of the tricks. I think Hawaii might make me wake up in the mornings happy ;D (and the change in your rhythm may be because you are now getting a full blast of sunshine, and heat, before breakfast?)

I've noticed that I can't make use fully of the pros from EE without a clean diet. Because when I didn't care about my diet, and ate a cookie once in a while, whenever I did the full EE session i'd feel very bad and super angry. After being quite some time just eating meat and fat, sometimes spinach, what EE sessions brought me was peace of mind and only joy.

edit: adding the 't to the can