Circadian Rhythms
Entrained by the body’s internal clock, circadian rhythms rule all aspects of our biology and behavior; they are basically our physiological and behavioral rhythms within a roughly 24-hour cycle. As many scientists in different fields are joining in unlocking the mysteries of circadian rhythms, it is widely understood that balancing this self-regulating mechanism is the key to our physiological and behavioral health. |
Biological ClockA master clock located in our hypothalamus is the responsible conductor for synchronizing our complex circadian system. This timing mechanism helps to control body temperature, thirst, hunger and it is involved in sleep and emotional activities. To date, scientists have discovered five environmental cues that in a variety of ways sync our biological clocks and harmonize our biological rhythms with the natural environment and the day/night or light/dark daily cycles.These five environmental cues are:
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Circadian Rhythms DisruptionScientific research indicates that six of the top ten causes of death in the industrial world are chronic and metabolic diseases strongly associated with sleep disorders and circadian rhythms disruption. Chronic and metabolic diseases include cardiovascular diseases, heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory problems, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, some cancers, gallbladder disease and gallbladder stone. In addition, some mental disorders such as depression, seasonal affective disorder or SAD, manic depression, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are almost always associated with sleep disorders and circadian rhythms disruption. |
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The Light/Dark CycleAlerted by the environment, our biological master clock synchronizes billions of biological clocks inside our body for a harmoniously orchestrated performance. The light/dark cycle plays the most important role in resetting this biological clock to balance our circadian rhythms. The daily cycle caused by the earth’s daily rotation around its own axis is detected through photo receptors in our eyes with a direct connection to our biological master clock. When day ends and night starts, our eyes interpret the minimal exposure of light, or the lack thereof, to be able to coordinate the body clock into the dark cycle. |
With the advent of electric lights and electronic screens, we have extended the day cycle or virtual day. |
Balancing Circadian RhythmsLight regulation is the surest and most natural remedy for entraining the circadian rhythms and a great remedy for melatonin deficiency. To be able to fine-tune our circadian rhythms we need to balance the light/dark cycle. This means we need ample exposure to bright light during the daytime and must avoid light at night. When exposed to plenty of daylight, the light triggers the production and secretion of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a mood-boosting neurotransmitter associated with feeling calm, alert and focused. At nighttime, on the other hand, it is important to enable our body and mind to relax to be able to sleep and rejuvenate. The brain needs to be exposed to darkness to be able to secrete the sleep hormone melatonin. However, when exposed to electrical lights and electronic screens at night the brain gets ready for the daytime rhythm and suppresses the timely secretion of melatonin. |
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Virtual DarknessAround the year 2000 scientists realized that it is the blue segment of the light spectrum which sends light/day time signals to the brain which prepares the body for the daytime rhythms. By eliminating the blue light, the brain starts the secretion of melatonin via pineal glands and sets the body and brain for the dark-/nighttime activities.
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HOW CIRCADIAN EYEWEAR CAN HELP TO BALANCE YOUR CIRCADIAN RHYTHMSCircadian Eyewear provides virtual darkness glasses which filter out the blue light while you still can perform your evening tasks using electronic screens and being exposed to electric lighting. Sleep Disorders
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RESEARCH TIED TO CIRCADIAN RHYTHMSThe field of circadian rhythms and the effect of light in our daily life and health is becoming a widely researched topic. The 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went jointly to Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythms. You can find their press release here:
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders in Older Adults Melatonin as an endogenous regulator of diseases: The role of autophagy New perspectives on the role of melatonin in human sleep, circadian rhythms and their regulation Circadian Rhythm Abnormalities Links between Circadian Rhythms and Psychiatric Disease Influence of sleep-wake and circadian rhythm disturbances in psychiatric disorders |
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