The Sun, Melanin, and the Paradox of Science: Protecting Astronauts Vs. Sun Warning

A recently published study has revealed the fascinating possibility of protecting astronauts from harmful radiation using a compound called selenomelanin, which is enriched with the metal selenium. This innovative approach could be compared to the use of sunscreens that protect the skin on Earth from ultraviolet radiation. While on our planet the magnetosphere protects us from dangerous radiation, astronauts on the Moon or Mars face different types of radiation without this natural protection. They are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays, which are associated with significant risks to human health. Therefore, finding effective protection for astronauts is critical to the future of space exploration.

Paradoxically, while NASA is researching the use of melanin to protect astronauts, dermatologists and ophthalmologists often warn against the sun and recommend blocking it. This approach encourages the use of sunscreens and other protective products, which can bring financial benefits to these professionals as well as to big pharmaceutical companies. This discrepancy raises questions about possible conflicting interests in scientific research and public health.

Melanin, produced from the POMC gene, plays a key role in protecting the human body from harmful radiation while also using sunlight to support important biological processes. Its importance goes far beyond the mere protection of the skin - it is an important factor in the regulation of our overall health. Melanin is particularly important in relation to diseases such as EHS (electrohypersensitivity), fibromyalgia, fungal problems, MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome) and mastocytosis. These connections indicate that melanin has a more complex role in our organism than previously thought.

Exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (nnEMF) is often associated with the aforementioned health problems. Interestingly, people who cannot produce enough melanin are more prone to these diseases. This finding supports the hypothesis that melanin has not only a protective but also a healing function in the human body. It could explain why some individuals are more sensitive to electromagnetic radiation and other environmental factors.

Clearly, the scientific community needs to take a more consistent and holistic approach to melanin and its role in human health. Sun protection should not be unilaterally demonized, but should be understood in the broader context of the biological and health benefits of melanin. NASA research reminds us that the sun and its radiation are not only a threat, but also a life-giving element that plays a key role in our biology and conservation.

This paradox between protecting astronauts and warning about the sun on Earth raises important questions about our current understanding of the relationship between the sun and human health. Is it possible that blocking too much sunlight can have adverse effects on our health? Could we make better use of our body's natural protective mechanisms, such as melanin production, instead of relying solely on external protection?

It also raises the question of why this complex information is missing from centralized science. Perhaps because economic interests often outweigh scientific objectivity and genuine concern for human health. It is time to rethink our current paradigm and look at the relationship between the sun, melanin and human health from a new perspective.

Future research should focus on better understanding the complex role of melanin in the human body, including its potential therapeutic properties. At the same time, emphasis should be placed on a balanced approach to sun protection that takes into account both the risks and benefits of solar radiation. Only with this holistic approach can we hope to fully understand and harness the potential of our relationship with the sun and melanin to improve human health and protection, whether on Earth or in space.​​​​