Even though circadian rhythms seem initially to be exclusively linked to our sleep, these primitive timing mechanisms reach back to virtually the dawn of life as we know it. Understanding circadian pathways lays the groundwork for not only understanding circadian disorders like jet lag and shift work, but also for understanding how to optimize our own health. In this episode we will:
- define circadian rhythms
- understand the mechanisms in the nervous system that govern circadian rhythms and biological timing
- find out about some of the early pioneers of circadian science and how their experiments helped to shed light on intrinsic rhythms
- learn why human circadian rhythms are slightly longer than 24 hours
- list the multiple systems within our bodies that depend on these rhythms
- examine research that indicates how harmful biological timing is to our health and the diseases/conditions they influence
- determine ways to optimize our own health through improved circadian scheduling
Produced by: Maeve Winter
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Thanks for listening and sleep well!