Circadian:
Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock, running in the background to carry out essential functions and processes. One of the most important and well-known circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle.
Different systems of the body follow circadian rhythms that are synchronized with a master clock in the brain. This master clock is directly influenced by environmental cues, especially light, which is why circadian rhythms are tied to the cycle of day and night.
When properly aligned, a circadian rhythm can promote consistent and restorative sleep. But when this circadian rhythm is thrown off, it can create significant sleeping problems, including insomnia. Research is also revealing that circadian rhythms play an integral role in diverse aspects of physical and mental health. [Sleep Foundation]
Noted in “Tiny region of human brain that helps regulate sleep studied at last,” Jason Arunn Murugesu, NewScientist (13 November 2021, paywall):
“I think that the method they’re using has a lot of potential,” says Debra Skene at the University of Surrey in the UK. But she says the researchers used such bright pulses of light to elicit a response from the nucleus that it is unclear if this particular study tells us anything new about circadian clocks.
