Well, separating placebo effects from real physiological effects and tracing the latter to the source isn't something I've put much thought into. This feels lik

Well, separating placebo effects from real physiological effects and tracing the latter to the source isn't something I've put much thought into. This feels like it works, and that's good enough for me. But there might be something to what you're pointing at, yes. The seasonal depression itself feels pretty distinct. I've been "normal" depressed before, and this is more like a "turned down the dimmer switch on the consciousness" combined with the regular suspects like lower initiative, less joy from fun things, muted feelings and so on. And my subjective experience is it responds well to light and general self-care, to a greater degree than the "standard" variety does. But who knows!