Summary
Highlights
Jonathan Derki confirms that sun exposure on the testicles can increase testosterone, referencing a 1939 study that showed a 200% increase in androsterone, a testosterone metabolite. He explains the skin-brain axis mechanism where UV light signals the brain to produce hormones like gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which stimulates testosterone production in the gonads. This effect is also observed in women, balancing testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen.
Derki argues that the statement 'the sun causes cancer' is mostly BS. While unsafe sun exposure can increase the risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas (less serious skin cancers), regular, chronic sun exposure actually reduces melanoma mortality (a deadly skin cancer). He criticizes dermatologists for focusing on isolated UV light studies in petri dishes, which don't reflect the full spectrum of sunlight and its benefits.
Derki highlights that skin cancer rates have increased since the introduction of sunscreen. He attributes this to several factors: carcinogenic chemicals in many sunscreens, people staying longer in the sun and burning due to a false sense of protection, and sunscreen inhibiting vitamin D production, which has anti-cancer properties. He recommends mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide) if necessary, emphasizing that burning is to be avoided.
UVB light interacts with cholesterol in the skin to produce vitamin D and 50 other beneficial metabolites. High vitamin D levels are correlated with reduced cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality, though supplementation doesn't show the same benefits, suggesting vitamin D is a proxy for sun exposure. UVB is most present in the middle of the day. UVA light mobilizes nitric oxide stored in the skin, which increases blood flow, reduces blood pressure, and improves cardiovascular health. UVA becomes present about an hour after sunrise.
UV light stimulates the body to produce proopiomelanocortin (POMC), a pro-hormone that is cleaved into various peptides. These include alpha-MSH, responsible for tanning, and beta-endorphin, an endogenous opioid that causes humans to be 'addicted' to the sun. This mechanism highlights the body's natural need for sun exposure.
Derki likens the light spectrum to sound waves, with different wavelengths communicating different messages to the body. He emphasizes that sunlight is a broad spectrum, not compartmentalized. Infrared light, particularly near-infrared, can penetrate deeply into the body, reaching mitochondria. Mitochondria absorb this light, increasing their charge and ATP production, which boosts cellular energy and overall health. Studies show that red light exposure can improve glucose metabolism and have systemic benefits.
Derki practices and supports sungazing, specifically during the first 20-30 minutes after sunrise when there is no UV light. He cites research showing that red light shone into human eyes can improve visual function, particularly in the morning. He views sungazing as an energetic exchange, where the body consumes light energy from the sun. He warns against looking at the sun in the middle of the day.
Wearing sunglasses can increase the likelihood of sunburn. Research in mice shows that UV light hitting the eyes triggers the production of p-53, a tumor suppressor protein, which then leads to the production of Alpha-MSH, stimulating melanin production and tanning. Sunglasses cut off this signal to the eyes, disrupting the body's natural tanning response. Derki also emphasizes that ancestral humans did not wear sunglasses, suggesting they interfere with natural adaptation.
Derki addresses the phenomenon of sun-damaged skin on truck drivers, explaining that car windows block UVB and much infrared light while allowing UVA and blue light to pass. This creates a distorted light spectrum that can damage elastin and collagen. He points out that the famous truck driver photo, often used by dermatologists to condemn sun exposure, did not show skin cancer, suggesting that direct sunlight is not the sole cause of such damage. He recommends rolling down windows or using natural light indoors to avoid this distorted light exposure.
The body has DNA repair mechanisms that are under circadian control, peaking at midday when UVB light is highest. However, modern lifestyles disrupt circadian rhythm, potentially impairing these repair mechanisms. Derki suggests that an aligned circadian rhythm and a healthy lifestyle would likely mitigate the perceived risks of sun exposure on skin cancer, even in populations considered 'unhealthy' by modern standards.
A sunburn is a protective mechanism where cells that have been too damaged undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis) to prevent them from becoming cancerous. While it's not a sign of optimal health, it indicates the body's defense system is functioning. Derki cautions against sunburning as much as possible.
Historically, ancient cultures worshipped the sun, and early 20th-century medicine used helios therapy (sun exposure) to treat diseases like tuberculosis with high success rates. Derki explains that the Flexner Report, influenced by Rockefeller's pharmaceutical interests, pushed out natural healing modalities in favor of drug-based treatments. The sunscreen industry and a simplified, fear-based message from dermatology further fueled the fear of the sun, disregarding its numerous health benefits and the nuanced relationship between sun exposure and different types of skin cancer.
Derki dismisses the idea that changes in the atmosphere (ozone depletion) necessitate greater sun protection. He notes that the ozone layer is recovering and that any depletion isn't significant enough to warrant such widespread fear, calling this claim 'BS'.
Derki considers LED red light therapy masks (and most red light panels) to be 'BS' due to their extremely high intensity, often thousands of milliwatts per square centimeter, compared to the roughly 1 milliwatt per square centimeter of a single wavelength from natural sunlight. While red light has benefits, known research is based on much lower intensities. He advises caution with such devices and recommends increasing distance from bright panels to reduce intensity. He prefers incandescent light sources, like SaunaSpace's bulbs, which offer a broad spectrum of red and infrared light at lower, more natural intensities.
Standard LED light bulbs are problematic because they are high in short-wavelength blue light, lack near-infrared, and often flicker, all of which can damage mitochondria and disrupt the nervous system. The best options for indoor lighting, in descending order of benefit, are: a bonfire, candlelight, inefficient incandescent bulbs (which provide broad-spectrum light including infrared), and then infrared-enriched LED bulbs (like Lumios). Overhead lighting, especially blue-rich LEDs, is particularly disruptive to circadian rhythm at night.
Clear blue light blocking glasses are largely ineffective as they only block a small portion of harmful blue light (400-420 nm). However, good quality amber or red-tinted blue light blocking glasses can effectively block the wavelengths that disrupt circadian rhythm at night (blue and green light). This allows for melatonin production and prevents unwanted cortisol peaks in the evening, aiding sleep and overall circadian alignment.
Derki challenges the common practice of protecting the face from the sun to prevent wrinkles. While squinting can cause wrinkles, avoiding sun exposure to the face means missing out on the attractiveness benefits of a tan and the overall health benefits of sun exposure (reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and non-skin cancers). He advocates for a holistic approach, exposing the entire body to the sun to maintain systemic health and adaptivity, rather than protecting one part at the expense of others.
Excessive showering and scrubbing with soap can remove beneficial microbes, natural oils, and dead skin cells that offer protection against the sun and contribute to a healthy tanning response. Derki suggests a more minimalist approach to showering, using soap only on specific areas like armpits, groin, and feet, to maintain the skin's natural protective layers.
Derki identifies high-intensity LED red light panels as a major 'BS' trend in biohacking, as they don't mimic natural sunlight's intensity or spectrum. He also criticizes the common practice of taking numerous daily supplements, advocating instead for a simpler approach focused on whole foods and essential lifestyle factors. He believes that over-complicating human biology with technology and excessive interventions makes the body less intelligent and adaptive.