Heliobiology Research

[David Silver]

@Compuw22cthanks for sharing, nice to meet you.

Before we delve too far into anecdotes, here’s some recent research from a special issue of Atmosphere.

Space Weather and Human Health Feb / March 2021

Quote

Over the past decade, a growing number of studies have been focusing on the association between geomagnetic activity and other space weather phenomena (like space storms, solar proton events, solar flares, cosmic rays activity, Pc1 and Pc4-Pc5 geomagnetic pulsations,  and high-speed solar wind) and human health, especially on the cardiovascular system. In recent years, the created databases of environmental data give an opportunity to evaluate the complex effect of space weather and atmospheric conditions on human health. Apart from this, technological advances allow one to simulate space weather conditions and increase access to high temporal resolution physiological data, which help to explain the physiological effect of space weather on humans. This enables new knowledge about the effect of space weather on human health. 

 

[Archmonoth]

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

The kicker was when my computer (Ryzen 3960X Threadripper, 4 memory channels) had a memory controller die (1 of the 4 channels) on about the same day that my dog and I had sudden food poisoning, for a period of about 20-30 minutes, and then we were both fine.  I don't get sick at all very often.

This is a great example of correlation, not causation. 

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

 I believe this was around the same time as the problems with power in Texas.

The power issues in Texas are 100% not related to the Sun. 

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

Biology bit finally:  Aside from me noticing my insomnia and energy of both myself and my dog (not just me) as well as our appetites tend to move together (I know I know, she's my dog of course she follows my moods), I noticed other people seem to experience the same things.  I noticed that if I woke up at 3:30am and needed to go out and walk my dog, all of a sudden like 20 different houses in the neighborhood had their lights on.  I know it's out of place because I do sometimes need to take her out that early, but that's a bit different than like 20 people in a neighborhood having simultaneous insomnia.

Why would you think it is related to solar activity? (Assuming you are sharing it because you think it is related to Solar activity) 

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

I also met up with a friend from high school I haven't seen in a little while recently, and the day before we were supposed to meet, I had insomnia until about 5am that morning before sleeping a few hours before we met.  When I saw them, they mentioned that they were also up until 5am that morning, without me bringing it up.  They also brought up, on their own without me mentioning it, that they had tinnitus lately. 

There are many causes and conditions around tinnitus. Have you seen a  doctor? Do you think it is also related to Solar activity? 

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

I've had that and somewhat excessive earwax.

Also 100% not related to Solar activity. 

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

The reason I wanted to see them is because somehow I knew that they would be experiencing the same thing, just based on looking back at history and how good/bad we each felt at different times in line with the solar cycle.  I do think these odd, seemlingly simultaneous symptoms of people who don't live together do seem a bit funny for someone who normally isn't into superstitions. As far as the exact cause, I think I have some pretty good theories as to the why this happens, but if I'm right, I'm glad I have these symptoms to keep me somewhat alert.  I'm trying to watch and learn the effects space weather might have on me just on the off chance that something were to take out a lot of satellites and/or electronic sensors, maybe being able to detect what's coming by feel might be handy.

Even if you were affected in the way suggested, the response would be AFTER the solar activity, not before. 

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

One other thing I should mention, the more I watch carefully not just space weather magnetometers and solar flare charts but even other people, my dog, I feel I almost begin to (bear with me here) almost predict what's coming next?

Almost predicting is not prediction. Animals can not predict upcoming Solar weather. 

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

 When I use that word I mean like the weather, it's a guess, we can guess a couple days ahead and not be too specific.  It's not wishful thinking on my fault and I've certainly been wrong but in general I feel like even looking back historically at things I did before being into space weather, it's almost as if the sun is singing a song and at some point, we kind of know what's coming next, even if we don't know that we know.  Ya know?

Guessing and the feeling of anticipation is not uncommon, especially for catastrophe. 

On 10/28/2021 at 7:22 PM, Compuw22c said:

Thanks for reading to the end, happy to answer any questions but hope I can add a datapoint because I don't know of another place looking at this.

I would encourage you to try and separate or document events. Some of what you describe would be heavy metal poisoning from electronics. Could be changes in municipal water systems. An entire village or town can hallucinate if ergot or bacteria growth gets into the city pipes for example. 

 

Looking for Solar activity to explain many issues might be convenient and feel pleasant to have a single explanation, but there are many physical systems before Solar activity reaches you. 

Edited November 3, 2021 by Archmonoth

[Compuw22c]

Anecdotally, from a sample size of 1 (possibly 2?) people (me being the 1), coronal holes do seem to worsen quite a few symptoms, and the coronal holes passing (no longer earth facing) seems to relieve them.  This includes:

• Earwax
• Lethargy
• Shifted/disturbed sleep schedule - THIS one seems to be related to me being completely 100% unable to sleep on a plane, ever (3 Amsterdam space cakes couldn't get me to do more than nod off for a few minutes at a time, no sleep)

I felt like bright sunspots and solar flare pushed things the OTHER way making things BETTER (better than just back to baseline) but I'm waiting for more activity to track and confirm. 

Yes yes it isn't a controlled study and yes I'm self reporting yes we're all aware of that and this is an internet forum so lets get over ourselves and try and learn something and gather some random datapoints.

[Archmonoth]

I don't think your ear wax condition is a data point. I understand your experiences are important to you, although I still don't know how you arrived at the conclusion, or how they are connected to sun activity. 

 

If you are attempting to learn, you will need a method of separating speculation from knowledge. Without such a method, you will be adrift in speculation, where anything you want to be true, is true. 

[David Silver]

@Compuw22c thanks for sharing. Increased solar wind is a significant trigger for my symptoms, with similar results. The lethargy and sleep disturbance caused by solar weather, especially during full moon, is well documented, and known to be related to disturbance of circadian rhythm and melatonin production.

Please ignore the negativity in this forum. Some people inexplicably feel their random unwarranted opinions are more important than your personal experience or the dozens of scientific studies posted above. 
I exhaustively separated speculation from knowledge and explained my history and ongoing work with Doctors, specialists, and my personal preconditions, and my year of objectively charting symptoms and solar weather, ruling out many other factors. I clearly explained how one could be hypersensitive to these stressors, but the broken record skeptic cherry-picking conversation starts over and over and over at square one with nothing of value to add, except blithering vague unsolicited negativity. “Adrift in speculation” also applies to whatever you think is false, is false.

Edited November 23, 2021 by David Silver

[Solarflaretracker200]

2 hours ago, David Silver said:

Increased solar wind is a significant trigger for my symptoms

So like right now do you have symptoms? Let me ask you a few questions

The X1 that we had this october, did it affect you? 

The M1.56 we had on November 1st, did it effect you?

The M1.72 we had on November 2nd, did it effect you?

Do Geomagnetic storms effect you?

Now the last question: Do you have symptoms happen instantly or do they take a few minutes? 

[Christopher S.]

11 hours ago, Archmonoth said:

I don't think your ear wax condition is a data point. I understand your experiences are important to you, although I still don't know how you arrived at the conclusion, or how they are connected to sun activity. 

 

If you are attempting to learn, you will need a method of separating speculation from knowledge. Without such a method, you will be adrift in speculation, where anything you want to be true, is true. 

That's more like it.

Also, this has become absurd.

[Compuw22c]

My experiences aren't actually "important to me", none of it is incredibly life-altering, they're more curious and intriguing to me than anything else, like most other things physics/science based.  I find it interesting and curious when I wake up at 3am on a Tuesday with an inexplicable desire to walk my dog for no apparent reason, and happen to notice a significant number of the neighbor's homes (15+) on a 20 minute walk all have their kitchen/living room lights on when they typically would not.  I have had to walk her at odd times before (long days at work etc), not all of these people work the night shift.

I also find it interesting to find out that others I know, and some others I've recently begun talking to all experience either the same, or related (tinnitus) symptoms.  Some of them brought it up without me mentioning it, some reached out to me after hearing me mention my experiences and thought it was almost "creepy" that it echoed their experiences.

This thread isn't about me or OP trying to throw a pity party for ourselves, it's about furthering understanding and additionally, trying to have a place for others experiencing something similar to try and find a better understanding of the situation.  This would be the first solar cycle that I'm really paying attention, but looking back throughout history at the dips and spikes, thinking of different major events, and other times my earwax for one thing have followed this pattern, is worth discussing.

I also find the excessive use of puns and wordplay in science, news, and religion to be both hilarious and interesting, but I'll leave that alone for now.

[Archmonoth]

20 hours ago, David Silver said:

“Adrift in speculation” also applies to whatever you think is false, is false.

I agree, so a method needs to be used to separate speculation from data points. 

Why not include every testimonial? I had a bad day yesterday, I'm hungry, I have a head ache, I sneeze at 10 PM every night, my dog is weird, my skin itches, all solar related? Surely there is a method to divide the endless speculation from solar activity? 

 

Including all speculation without a method of separation comes across as superstition. (To me)

 

13 hours ago, Compuw22c said:

  I find it interesting and curious when I wake up at 3am on a Tuesday with an inexplicable desire to walk my dog for no apparent reason, and happen to notice a significant number of the neighbor's homes (15+) on a 20 minute walk all have their kitchen/living room lights on when they typically would not.  I have had to walk her at odd times before (long days at work etc), not all of these people work the night shift.

Strange and unusual things happen, but it doesn't mean they are solar related. I am still curious how you came to the conclusion they are solar related. 

13 hours ago, Compuw22c said:

I also find it interesting to find out that others I know, and some others I've recently begun talking to all experience either the same, or related (tinnitus) symptoms.  Some of them brought it up without me mentioning it, some reached out to me after hearing me mention my experiences and thought it was almost "creepy" that it echoed their experiences.

Again, tinnitus has many causes and underlying conditions which are attributed to it. How did you come to the conclusion it is solar related? 

13 hours ago, Compuw22c said:

This thread isn't about me or OP trying to throw a pity party for ourselves, it's about furthering understanding and additionally, trying to have a place for others experiencing something similar to try and find a better understanding of the situation. 

Alright, so how do you separate understanding from guesswork? 

Edited November 23, 2021 by Archmonoth

[Solarflaretracker200]

16 hours ago, Compuw22c said:

I find it interesting and curious when I wake up at 3am on a Tuesday with an inexplicable desire to walk my dog for no apparent reason, and happen to notice a significant number of the neighbor's homes (15+) on a 20 minute walk all have their kitchen/living room lights on when they typically would not.  I have had to walk her at odd times before (long days at work etc), not all of these people work the night shift.

You may just have a sleep disorder and your dog could just be restless. Also the houses with lights on don't follow a schedule to turn on and off exactly at that time. I am sorry if that sounds rude but I am not trying to be rude.  

Solar wind, solar activity, KP index being high, hemispheric power, etc. has nothing to do with you, your dog, and your neighbors

Your over thinking this

Edited November 23, 2021 by Solarflaretracker200

[David Silver]

My intention and continuing goal with starting this thread here is not to feed trolls with anecdotes or entertain skeptics with testimonials to critique. I didn’t expect this data-based forum to attract mean-spirited people stuck in the past. I hoped to find other sufferers, yes, but maybe also intelligent others interested in this emerging branch of medical science, so we might all humbly learn a thing or two.

”Heliobiology is a new branch of science that deals with the influences on human health caused by solar activity and investigates the possible mechanisms to explain the reported associations. In the last decades, many researchers have considered geomagnetic storms, cosmic rays, and solar flares to be hazardous to human health. They have established that these space weather indicators could play a role in regulating external factors in human health. ”

”Heliobiology [13] (sometimes referred to as cosmobiology, heliomedicine or clinical cosmobiology in the literature) is a new branch of science that deals with the influences on human health caused by solar activity and investigates the possible mechanisms to explain the reported associations.

Over the last 20 years, heliobiology has become a subject of interest that has attracted scientists from various disciplines. Numerous studies have been carried out, and the evidences suggest that space weather activity has a broad range of adverse effects on human health, such as mental illness, cardiovascular mortality, and neurological system diseases [14-16]. On the other hand, other studies have reported no such of relationships exist [15]. Although contradictions have been found between these studies, this field of research has become increasingly important in the present context of a consistent weakening of the Earth’s magnetic field.

One challenging problem (more of a controversial issue) in heliobiology is the search for mechanisms by which different events and processes on the sun can have either direct or indirect effects on human health and physiology.”

BioMed Science

 

[Solarflaretracker200]

Let me put people who say that they have these so called “symptoms” to a test. In the next 2 days there is going to be active geomagnetic conditions due to a filament solar eruption. So after the active conditions pass tell US if you have had symptoms. This is going to be proof if you really have symptoms. 

Oh yeah by the way don’t make up something 

Edited November 26, 2021 by Solarflaretracker200

[David Silver]

My intention and continuing goal with starting this thread here is not to feed trolls with anecdotes or entertain skeptics with testimonials to critique. I didn’t expect this data-based forum to attract mean-spirited people stuck in the past. I hoped to find other sufferers, yes, but maybe also intelligent others interested in this emerging branch of medical science, so we might all humbly learn a thing or two.

[Solarflaretracker200]

Ok that’s nice…but this is also learning 

Let’s see if you really do have symptoms 

This will teach us a thing out two about these “symptoms”

[Miquel Iglesias]

In fact, not only anxiety, depression, insomnia, panic attacks or alterations in the heart rate and migraines find their correlation with the solar cycles, also, do the rest of our vital systems. Including those that modulate our thought patterns, our emotions, and even our neuroplastic ability to learn. And although neurosciences are gradually beginning to shed light on new areas for knowledge such as heliobiology, synaptic sciences or geophysics, we know that action is necessary now. Stopping the suffering of those people who show greater sensitivity to current changes in the composition of the biosphere is imperative.

[Compuw22c]

2 hours ago, Solarflaretracker200 said:

Ok that’s nice…but this is also learning 

Let’s see if you really do have symptoms 

This will teach us a thing out two about these “symptoms”

Now hang on a minute, I thought self reported symptoms and anecdotes were worthless and we should all shut the hell up.  Which is it?

You know another "symptom" I find suspicious?  The fact that in multiple venues of discussion there are aggressive attempts to either shut down the discussion, or ridicule anyone for even suggesting there might be a correlation.  I think that's a data point in itself.

I'll stay quiet from here on out and just sit and watch.  Mission accomplished guys.

[Solarflaretracker200]

10 minutes ago, Compuw22c said:

Now hang on a minute, I thought self reported symptoms and anecdotes were worthless and we should all shut the hell up.  Which is it?

You know another "symptom" I find suspicious?  The fact that in multiple venues of discussion there are aggressive attempts to either shut down the discussion, or ridicule anyone for even suggesting there might be a correlation.  I think that's a data point in itself.

I'll stay quiet from here on out and just sit and watch.  Mission accomplished guys.

Hold up. I never said you had to stay quiet and never said self reported symptoms are dumb. 

Please don’t take this wrong

[Christopher S.]

In my mind, this is called "cosmochondria" - easy enough to infer the meaning from that to describe this social phenomenon. See psychiatrists or qualified medical professionals, again. Get a third party to agree to independently monitor both you and space weather conditions.

Echo chambering your health problems on the internet to cast blame externally is absolutely nothing new in the world, and we know ways of dealing with the root problem, so thus there is some seemingly over-the-top pushback against cosmochondriacs only because they rely on exaggerations and do nobody any favors keeping a f***ing journal or anything. It's just "my ears are ringing, must be the sun"

[Solarflaretracker200]

11 hours ago, Miquel Iglesias said:

In fact, not only anxiety, depression, insomnia, panic attacks or alterations in the heart rate and migraines find their correlation with the solar cycles, also, do the rest of our vital systems. Including those that modulate our thought patterns, our emotions, and even our neuroplastic ability to learn. And although neurosciences are gradually beginning to shed light on new areas for knowledge such as heliobiology, synaptic sciences or geophysics, we know that action is necessary now. Stopping the suffering of those people who show greater sensitivity to current changes in the composition of the biosphere is imperative.

So shouldn’t we all have these symptoms then? I don’t get that

These ppl are not suffering. Not even close

[David Silver]

Wow. It’s true. You DONT get that. We do NOT all have the same reaction to things, for various reasons.
Had you read the earlier posts, many of your questions and assumptions would have been answered. Not everyone modulates stressors the same. Aggressively balking at someone’s suffering is really…something. 

The rude assumptions and commentary about my experience and symptoms is the opposite of an intelligent conversation. This forum could use a moderator.  

I already described my ongoing experience with multiple specialists and my objective journal keeping for over a year. Weather and solar weather sensitivity are not a matter of opinion or speculation. Read. The. Science.

You are being mean.

4 minutes ago, David Silver said:

they rely on exaggerations and do nobody any favors keeping a f***ing journal or anything. It's just "my ears are ringing, must be the sun"

Edited November 26, 2021 by David Silver

[Solarflaretracker200]

16 minutes ago, David Silver said:

Aggressively balking at someone’s suffering is really…something.

And who is?

I don't think anyone is.

Again! Its not suffering. Your not dying. That is what I call suffering and maybe that's too mean so I am going to shut up for now.

[David Silver]

Quote

Various melatonin hypotheses of Geomagnetic Storms have suggested that temporal variation in the geomagnetic field (GMF) may be acting as an additional zeitgeber (a temporal synchronizer) for circadian rhythms, with GMS somehow interfering with the hypothesized system. The cryptochrome genes are known primarily as key components of the circadian pacemaker, ultimately involved in controlling the expression of the hormone melatonin. Cryptochrome is identified as a clear candidate for mediating the effect of GMS on humans, demonstrating the prior existence of several crucial pieces of evidence. A distinct scientific literature demonstrates the widespread use of geomagnetic information for navigation across a range of taxa. One mechanism of magnetoreception is thought to involve a light-dependent retinal molecular system mediated by cryptochrome, acting in a distinct functionality to its established role as a circadian oscillator. There is evidence suggesting that such a magnetosense—or at least the vestiges of it—may exist in humans. This paper argues that cryptochrome is not acting as secondary geomagnetic zeitgeber to influence melatonin synthesis. Instead, it is hypothesized that the cryptochrome compass system is mediating stress responses more broadly across the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis (including alterations to circadian behaviour) in response to changes in the GMF. Two conceptual models are outlined for the existence of such responses—the first as a generalized migrational/dispersal strategy, the second as a stress response to unexpected signals to the magnetosense. It is therefore proposed that GMS lead to disorientation of hormonal systems in animals and humans, thus explaining the effects of GMS on human health and behaviour.“

2012 study

[Solarflaretracker200]

10 minutes ago, David Silver said:

Various melatonin hypotheses of Geomagnetic Storms have suggested that temporal variation in the geomagnetic field (GMF) may be acting as an additional zeitgeber (a temporal synchronizer) for circadian rhythms, with GMS somehow interfering with the hypothesized system. The cryptochrome genes are known primarily as key components of the circadian pacemaker, ultimately involved in controlling the expression of the hormone melatonin. Cryptochrome is identified as a clear candidate for mediating the effect of GMS on humans, demonstrating the prior existence of several crucial pieces of evidence. A distinct scientific literature demonstrates the widespread use of geomagnetic information for navigation across a range of taxa. One mechanism of magnetoreception is thought to involve a light-dependent retinal molecular system mediated by cryptochrome, acting in a distinct functionality to its established role as a circadian oscillator. There is evidence suggesting that such a magnetosense—or at least the vestiges of it—may exist in humans. This paper argues that cryptochrome is not acting as secondary geomagnetic zeitgeber to influence melatonin synthesis. Instead, it is hypothesized that the cryptochrome compass system is mediating stress responses more broadly across the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis (including alterations to circadian behaviour) in response to changes in the GMF. Two conceptual models are outlined for the existence of such responses—the first as a generalized migrational/dispersal strategy, the second as a stress response to unexpected signals to the magnetosense. It is therefore proposed that GMS lead to disorientation of hormonal systems in animals and humans, thus explaining the effects of GMS on human health and behaviour.“

So this is technically saying Geomagnetic storms impact human health? So when the G3 storm happened on the very late night of November 3rd to a good portion of the day on Nov 4th it made me unhealthy? To be honest I don't think that makes sense. But Idk.

[David Silver]

The cool thing about science is it doesn’t give a damn what you think makes sense. Reality is reality. Your opinion could not be any more irrelevant.

Are you allergic to peanuts? I’m not. 
Are you allergic to bee stings? I am. One more sting might kill me.

Are you allergic to Benadryl? Most people aren’t. When I take it, the active ingredient causes me to have paradoxical agitation, or hallucinations.

Have you ever gone 4 solid days without a minute of sleep? I have. Would that qualify as suffering? Insomnia is very bad for your health. 

I have many other sensitivities and health problems you probably enjoy not having. I wrote about them to proactively keep the ignorant from commenting. It didn’t work.

The point is that human bodies have an incredibly wide range of differences, and your mean-spirited proclamations have no impact on that fact. This thread is for the posting and discussion of actual science about the biological effects of geomagnetic storms. Having a predisposition to hypersensitivity and inability to regulate stressors causes one person to experience resulting symptoms that other lucky fuckers don’t have. It’s pretty easy to understand really.

Like, did you know that in even a low-level G1 storm, human blood viscosity can increase up to 20%?! Which leads to higher incidents of stroke and heart attack deaths…? You would know that if you read the FIRST POST. That 20% number shocked me; what a significant impact, I had no idea until I read what the scientists wrote about that. Gosh I want to learn more new things. Arguing with data is as dumb as protesting a virus.

Now I will continue to read and post only more science. 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2021 by David Silver

[Solarflaretracker200]

Listen here... You just can't believe everything on the internet and say something that's about science: "Oh yep it is scientifically proven" Now don't take this wrong. I am not saying you do that and I am not saying your wrong or saying your dumb, stupid or anything. And yes your right reality is reality. So hear me out. I am not trying to be mean spirited, a jerk, a know it all or anything and I take back the comment about suffering. I read it and it was pretty mean. And if you looked up at the first question I asked you about solar flares, geomagnetic storms and if they affected you and if your symptoms happened instant or took a few minutes- that's all I wanted to know. So yeah...

I just think its strange that the sun could, would or can do that.