What really is the relationship between light, the circadian rhythm and mood? How might modern anti-depressants alter that relationship? We address these questions and more with the help of Associate Prof Sean Cain from Monash University.

Dr Moira Junge (Health Psychologist) and Dr David Cunnington (Sleep Physician) host the monthly podcast, Sleep Talk, talking all things sleep.

Leave a review and subscribe via iTunes

Audio Timeline:

• 00:00 - 04:48 Introduction
• 04:48 -33:07 Theme - Rhythm and Blues
  • 04:48 - 25:13 Interview - A Prof Sean Cain - Light, sleep and mood
  • 25:13 - 30:03 Discussion and where to find more information
• 30:03 - 30:57 Clinical tip: Beware SSRIs in eveningness-types
• 30:57 - 36:51 Pick of the month:
  • 30:57 - 32:17 Moira - Melatonin for delayed phase
  • 32:17 - 34:16 David - The Science of Sleep- Wallace Mendelson
  • 34:16 - 36:51 Sean - Magnetoreception in birds
• 36:51 - 38:02 What's coming up in sleep?

Next episode: Sleep in depression

Links mentioned in the podcast: 

• Assoc Prof Sean Cain - Monash University profile
• Evening types demonstrate reduced SSRI treatment efficacy- research article in Chronobiology
• Citalopram increases sensitivity of the circadian system to light - research article in Psychopharmacology
• Seasonal effective disorder (SADs) - podcast episode
• Light therapy - blog post
• Teens and screens - podcast episode
• Chronotherapeutics for Affective Disorders- Book
• Melatonin for delayed sleep-wake phase disorder - research article
• The Science of Sleep- Book by Wallace Mendelson
• Magneto-receptors in birds - research article
• Bipolar mood and tidal cycles- research article