(NaturalHealth365) Do you think sunlight is healing to the human body? Unfortunately, many people have been victimized by the brainwashing marketing campaigns of the sunscreen industry and conventional dermatology. The big question remains – can sunlight actually help kids and adults recover from ADHD, autism and depression?

In the 1990’s and early 2000’s, the sun received a lot of negative publicity. Associations with skin cancer put fear into us as well as slathering sunscreen on our kids to assure they did not get burned. But within the last few years, the knowledge that the sun is healing – particularly for conditions such as ADHD and autism is causing some parents to forgo the sunscreen and embrace the sun for therapeutic benefits.

ADHD rates tend to be lower in sunny states

ADHD is the most common psychiatric childhood disorder impacting between 5-7% of children worldwide. Identified risk factors include premature birth, low birth weight, mother’s use of alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy and exposure to toxic substances such as lead.

A study published in Biological Psychiatry discovered another risk factor – lack of solar intensity. Researchers collected and analyzed multiple data sets from the United States and nine other countries and found that regions with high sunlight intensity had a lower prevalence of ADHD.

They suggest that high sunlight intensity may exert a protective effect for ADHD.

A paper published in Psychology Today states that sun intensity itself could be responsible for about 34-41% of the variance in ADHD diagnoses in different areas in children in the U.S.

Lack of sunlight exposure is linked to autism

Doctors in Sweden are seeing a rise in autism in the Somali population that has moved to Sweden. It is thought that the lack of sunlight in Sweden, combined with sunscreen and precautions to avoid sun exposure, is contributing to depression and autism. The incident of Somali children being diagnosed with autism is higher than those children still being raised in Somalia.

Researchers suspect one factor is insufficient sunlight to build up vitamin D levels. They state that dark-skinned people demand significantly more sunlight to enable vitamin D to build up in the skin.

Research, out of Denmark, has also found a correlation between the month a baby is born and their risk for autism. They found that children born in the fall and winter were almost twice as likely to have jaundice versus those born in the spring and summer. Babies who developed jaundice were 67% more likely to be diagnosed with autism during early childhood.

Exposure to sunlight breaks down bilirubin and is considered protective against jaundice. So making sure pregnant women are exposed to the sun can help protect you and your baby.

Sunlight proves to be great for depressed people

A study published in Environmental Health – which included over 14,000 people – found a link between lack of sunlight, depression and a decline in cognitive skills. The researchers state that sunlight regulates the hormones serotonin and melatonin as well as affects brain blood flower, which can impact mood and cognitive functions.

When sunlight hits the retina it stimulates the optic nerve which sends a signal to your brain to produce serotonin and melatonin and it has been reported that for depression, bright light works faster than medication – usually within a week. In fact, over fifteen controlled studies have shown that bright light is helpful for those suffering depression.

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About the author: Sima Ash of Healing 4 Soul is a clinical and classical homeopath and certified clinical nutritionist who utilizes a unique approach pioneered by Tinus Smits, M.D. called CEASE therapy. The aim of CEASE treatment is systematic detoxification of the causes of illness, leading to step by step improvement and restoration of health in the individual. For additional information, please visit – Healing4Soul.com. You can follow Sima on Facebook at ‘Cease Therapy California’ and through her weekly blog on NaturalHealth365.com

References:
https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223%2813%2900175-3/abstract
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201304/sunlight-and-adhd
https://www.thelocal.se/20080715/13064
https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20101011/jaundice-in-newborns-may-be-linked-to-autism
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3525652/

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