If you are prone to depression don't work the late night shift.
WESTCHESTER, Ill. -- People who work rotating shifts have significantly lower levels of serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter in the central nervous system believed to play an important role in the regulation of sleep, according to a study published in the August 1st issue of the journal SLEEP.
Heard of anti-depressant drugs like Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, or Paxil? They are all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They work by preventing neurons from pulling serotonin back onto the internal side of neural cell membranes. That leaves more serotonin to bind to receptors which boosts certain types of neural signalling which somehow lifts people out of depression. But if you do something that lowers the amount of serotonin available (and working the night shift does this) then you are going to be more prone to depression.
Night shift workers are probably not asking for enough additional compensation to make it worth the effect on their bodies.
The study, authored by Carlos J. Pirola, PhD, of the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, focused on 683 men of self-reported European ancestry, in which 437 day workers were compared with 246 rotating shift workers. Day and night work periods started at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. respectively. None of the subjects interchanged their job schedule.
The results showed that serotonin content differed greatly between day workers and rotating shift workers, with levels of serotonin significantly higher in day workers.
“These findings may be important not only to understand the mechanisms related to the circadian rhythm desynchronization imposed by the rotating shift work regime, but also to target truly effective therapeutic strategies that may ameliorate the associated comorbidities and behavioral problems in rotating shift workers,” said Pirola.
In addition to sleep problems, low levels of serotonin are also associated with other conditions such as anger, depression and anxiety.
What would be interesting follow-up experiments: Can high intensity lights, melatonin, or some other treatment or style of living allow people to work late shifts without lowered serotonin? Also, is some fraction of the populace able to do late shift work without getting lowered levels of serotonin?
By Randall Parker at 2007 August 05 06:23 PM Brain Sleep | TrackBackIt looks like the research is on rotating shifts, not being on a night shift for an extended period.
Why not just do 5-htp? In fact i know someone doing shift and i think i'll suggest it.
I second the 5-HTP recommendation. The serotonin affecting drugs you mention are such crude tools with many unwanted side effects. I would strongly recommend 5-HTP supplementation for almost anyone who would like to affect their serotonin levels.
I find limited use of melatonin effective for regaining control of your sleep cycle (or, at least controlling when you actually become unconscious). Being a radical night owl myself, the ability to determine within a short span when you will fall asleep is such a liberating experience (I've never desired to use traditional sleeping pills). Melatonin can, however, cause you to sleep-in and/or feel groggy. As well, varying degrees of dependence can occur. Melatonin used responsibly, preferably in small doses, can be a very positive addition to your diet.