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		<title>Circadian Rhythms &#8211; What are circadian rhythms?</title>
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					<description><![CDATA[ Circadian Rhythms &#8211; What are circadian rhythms? ​​What are circadian rhythms? Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants, and microbes. Chronobiology is the study of circadian rhythms. One example of a light-related [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1 style="text-align: center;"> Circadian Rhythms &#8211; What are circadian rhythms?</h1>
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<h3>​​What are circadian rhythms?</h3>
<p>Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants, and microbes. Chronobiology is the study of circadian rhythms. One example of a light-related circadian rhythm is sleeping at night and being awake during the day. The Average Teen Circadian Cycle image shows the circadian rhythm cycle of a typical teen.</p>
<h3>What are biological clocks?</h3>
<figure id="attachment_8345" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8345" style="width: 500px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-8345" src="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-cycle.png" alt="Circadian rhythm cycle of a typical teenager. Credit: NIGMS." width="500" height="475" srcset="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-cycle.png 500w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-cycle-300x285.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8345" class="wp-caption-text"><em><span style="color: #ff6600;">Circadian rhythm cycle of a typical teenager. Credit: NIGMS.</span></em></figcaption></figure>
<p>Biological clocks are organisms’ natural timing devices, regulating the cycle of circadian rhythms. They’re composed of specific <a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#196" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-featherlight="glossary">molecules</a> (<a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#49" data-featherlight="glossary">proteins</a>) that interact with cells throughout the body. Nearly every <a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#85" data-featherlight="glossary">tissue</a> and <a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#27" data-featherlight="glossary">organ</a> contains biological clocks. Researchers have identified similar <a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#127" data-featherlight="glossary">genes</a> in people, fruit flies, mice, plants, fungi, and several other organisms that make the clocks’ <a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#202" data-featherlight="glossary">molecular</a> components.</p>
<h3>What is the master clock?</h3>
<p>A master clock in the brain coordinates all the biological clocks in a living thing, keeping the clocks in sync. In <a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#201" data-featherlight="glossary">vertebrate</a> animals, including humans, the master clock is a group of about 20,000 <a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#19" data-featherlight="glossary">nerve cells</a> (neurons) that form a structure called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN. The SCN is in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus and receives direct input from the eyes.</p>
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<h3>Does the body make and keep its own circadian rhythms?</h3>
<p>Yes, natural factors in your body produce circadian rhythms. For humans, some of the most important genes in this process are the <em>Period</em> and <em>Cryptochrome</em> genes. These genes code for proteins that build up in the cell’s <a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#25" data-featherlight="glossary">nucleus</a> at night and lessen during the day. Studies in fruit flies suggest that these proteins help activate feelings of wakefulness, alertness, and sleepiness. However, signals from the environment also affect circadian rhythms. For instance, exposure to light at a different time of day can reset when the body turns on <em>Period</em> and <em>Cryptochrome</em> genes.</p>
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<h3>How do circadian rhythms affect health?</h3>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-8353 alignright" src="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Figure-2.-Light-enters-the-eyes-cdc.jpg" alt="" width="356" height="298" srcset="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Figure-2.-Light-enters-the-eyes-cdc.jpg 356w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Figure-2.-Light-enters-the-eyes-cdc-300x251.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 356px) 100vw, 356px" /></h1>
<p>Circadian rhythms can influence important functions in our bodies, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#142" data-featherlight="glossary">Hormone</a> release</li>
<li>Eating habits and digestion</li>
<li>Body temperature</li>
</ul>
<p>However, most people notice the effect of circadian rhythms on their sleep patterns. The SCN controls the production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy. It receives information about incoming light from the optic nerves, which relay information from the eyes to the brain. When there is less light—for example, at night—the SCN tells the brain to make more melatonin so you get drowsy.</p>
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<h3>Nobel Prize</h3>
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<p>In 2017, researchers Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young won the prestigious Nobel Prize for their circadian rhythms research. By studying fruit flies, which have a very similar genetic makeup to humans, they isolated a gene that helps control the body’s clock. The scientists showed that the gene produces a protein that builds up in cells overnight, then breaks down during the day. This process can affect when you sleep, how sharply your brain functions, and more. All three researchers were funded by NIGMS when these major discoveries were made.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_8347" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8347" style="width: 676px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-8347" src="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/fruit-fly-brain.jpg" alt="Circadian rhythm neurons in the fruit fly brain. Credit: Matthieu Cavey and Justin Blau, New York University" width="676" height="524" srcset="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/fruit-fly-brain.jpg 968w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/fruit-fly-brain-300x232.jpg 300w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/fruit-fly-brain-768x595.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8347" class="wp-caption-text"><em><span style="color: #ff6600;">Circadian rhythm neurons in the fruit fly brain. Credit: Matthieu Cavey and Justin Blau, New York University</span></em></figcaption></figure>
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<figure id="attachment_8348" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8348" style="width: 684px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-8348" src="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-melatonin.jpg" alt="Melatonin is a hormone that makes you sleepy. Credit: iStock" width="684" height="435" srcset="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-melatonin.jpg 684w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-melatonin-300x191.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8348" class="wp-caption-text"><em><span style="color: #ff6600;">Melatonin is a hormone that makes you sleepy. Credit: iStock</span></em></figcaption></figure>
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<h3>What factors can change circadian rhythms?</h3>
<p>Changes in our body and environmental factors can cause our circadian rhythms and the natural light-dark cycle to be out of sync. For example:</p>
<ul>
<li>Mutations or changes in certain genes can affect our biological clocks.</li>
<li>Jet lag or shift work causes changes in the light-dark cycle.</li>
<li>Light from electronic devices at night can confuse our biological clocks.</li>
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<p>These changes can cause sleep disorders, and may lead to other chronic health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.</p>
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<h3>How are circadian rhythms related to jet lag?</h3>
<p>When you pass through different time zones, your biological clock will be different from the local time. For example, if you fly east from California to New York, you “lose” 3 hours. When you wake up at 7:00 a.m. on the East Coast, your biological clock is still running on West Coast time, so you feel the way you might at 4:00 a.m. Your biological clock will reset, but it will do so at a different rate. It often takes a few days for your biological clock to align with a new time zone. Adjusting after “gaining” time may be slightly easier than after “losing” time because the brain adjusts differently in the two situations.</p>
<h3>How do researchers study circadian rhythms?</h3>
<p>Scientists learn about circadian rhythms by studying humans and by using organisms with similar biological clock genes, such as fruit flies and mice. Researchers doing these experiments control the subject’s environment by altering light and dark periods. Then they look for changes in gene activity or other molecular signals. Scientists also study organisms with irregular circadian rhythms to identify which genetic components of biological clocks may be broken.</p>
<p>Understanding what makes biological clocks tick may lead to treatments for jet lag, sleep disorders, obesity, mental health disorders, and other health problems. It can also improve ways for people to adjust to nighttime shift work. Learning more about the genes responsible for circadian rhythms will also help us understand more about the human body.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_8349" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8349" style="width: 1000px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-8349" src="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-timezones.jpg" alt="Traveling across time zones disrupts your circadian rhythms. Credit: iStock" width="1000" height="480" srcset="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-timezones.jpg 1000w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-timezones-300x144.jpg 300w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/circadian-timezones-768x369.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8349" class="wp-caption-text"><em><span style="color: #ff6600;">Traveling across time zones disrupts your circadian rhythms. Credit: iStock</span></em></figcaption></figure>
<p><a href="https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx#:~:text=%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8BWhat%20are%20circadian,the%20study%20of%20circadian%20rhythms." target="_blank" rel="noopener">source</a></p>
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">Circadian Rhythm</h1>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a class="person" href="https://www.webmd.com/stephanie-booth">Stephanie Booth</a> <a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/find-circadian-rhythm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">source</a></p>
<section>Although you won’t hear it tick, your body has its own clock. The physical and mental changes it causes are called <a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/power-of-circadian-rhythms" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">circadian rhythms</a>. Most living things have them, including animals, plants, and even some germs.Circadian rhythms affect your <a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/default.htm" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">sleep</a> patterns as well as other ways your body works, like your hormones, body temperature, and eating habits. When they get out of sync, they might also cause problems with your health. They’ve been linked to different disorders including <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/default.htm" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">diabetes</a>, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/am-i-obese" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">obesity</a>, and <a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htm" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">depression</a>.To get good, healthy <a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/ss/slideshow-sleep-disorders-overview" data-crosslink-type="slideshow" data-metrics-link="">sleep</a>, it helps to know what keeps your body’s clock on track and what might throw its rhythm off.</section>
<section>
<h2 id="091e9c5e81bb054e-1-2">How Circadian Rhythms Work</h2>
<p>About 20,000 nerve cells make up your “master clock,” a part of <a href="https://www.webmd.com/brain/picture-of-the-brain" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">your brain</a> called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This structure, which sits inside an area called the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/brain/hypopituitary" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">hypothalamus</a>, controls your circadian rhythms. While largely guided by your genes and other natural factors inside your body, things in the outside world can also alter them.</p>
<section>The biggest cue is light. Your body is wired to <a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-habits-assessment" data-crosslink-type="tools" data-metrics-link="">sleep</a> when it’s dark and stay awake when it’s light outside. Nerves directly link your <a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/picture-of-the-eyes" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">eyes</a> and your body’s master clock. When daylight fades, your <a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/ss/slideshow-eye-conditions-overview" data-crosslink-type="slideshow" data-metrics-link="">eyes</a> signal your brain to make more <a href="https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-29-melatonin+oral.aspx" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">melatonin</a>, a <a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/features/escape-hormone-horrors-what-you-can-do" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">hormone</a> that makes you feel sleepy. And when the sun rises again, the signals tell the brain to turn down the melatonin.Circadian rhythms work by helping to make sure that the <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="1"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="83553" data-source-index="1"><span class="source-text">body’s processes are optimized at various points during a 24-hour period </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-1" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The NIGMS supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">nigms.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>. The term circadian <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="2"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25635592/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78995" data-source-index="2"><span class="source-text">comes from the Latin phrase “circa diem,” </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-2" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25635592/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>which means “around a day.”Circadian rhythms exist in all types of organisms. For example, they help flowers open and close at the right time and <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="3"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11584554/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="80069" data-source-index="3"><span class="source-text">keep nocturnal animals from leaving their shelter </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-3" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11584554/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>during the daytime when they would be exposed to more predators.In people, <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="4"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26600101/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78606" data-source-index="4"><span class="source-text">circadian rhythms coordinate mental and physical systems </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-4" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26600101/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>throughout the body. The digestive system <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="5"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/Inside-Life-Science/Pages/tick-tock-new-clues-about-biological-clocks-and-health.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="82987" data-source-index="5"><span class="source-text">produces proteins </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-5" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The NIGMS supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/Inside-Life-Science/Pages/tick-tock-new-clues-about-biological-clocks-and-health.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">nigms.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>to match the typical timing of meals, and the endocrine system regulates hormones to suit normal energy expenditure.The circadian rhythms throughout the body are <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="6"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/Inside-Life-Science/Pages/The-Rhythms-of-Life.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="82986" data-source-index="6"><span class="source-text">connected to a master clock, </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-6" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The NIGMS supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/Inside-Life-Science/Pages/The-Rhythms-of-Life.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">nigms.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>sometimes referred to as the circadian pacemaker, located in the brain. Specifically, it is found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. At different times of the day, <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="7"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/Inside-Life-Science/Pages/Resetting-Our-Clocks-New-Details-About-How-the-Body-Tells-Time.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="82985" data-source-index="7"><span class="source-text">clock genes </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-7" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The NIGMS supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/Inside-Life-Science/Pages/Resetting-Our-Clocks-New-Details-About-How-the-Body-Tells-Time.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">nigms.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>in the SCN send signals to regulate activity throughout the body.The SCN is highly sensitive to light, which serves as a critical external cue that influences the signals sent by the SCN to coordinate internal clocks in the body. For this reason, circadian rhythms are closely connected to day and night. While other cues, like exercise, social activity, and temperature, can affect the master clock, light is the most powerful influence on circadian rhythms.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Is a Circadian Rhythm the Same As a Biological Clock?</h3>
<p>Biological clocks help regulate the timing of bodily processes, including circadian rhythms. A circadian rhythm is an effect of a biological clock, but not all biological clocks are circadian. For instance, plants adjust to changing seasons using a biological clock with timing that is distinct from a 24-hour cycle.</p>
<h2 id="how-does-circadian-rhythm-affect-sleep--2" class="wp-block-heading">How Does Circadian Rhythm Affect Sleep?</h2>
<p>When people talk about circadian rhythm, it’s most often in the context of sleep. The <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/sleep-drive-and-your-body-clock">sleep-wake cycle</a> is one of the most clear and critical examples of the importance of circadian rhythms.</p>
<p>During the day, light exposure causes the master clock to send <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="8"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/how/neurophysiology" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78221" data-source-index="8"><span class="source-text">signals that generate alertness </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-8" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-left"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">A production of WGBH Educational Foundation and the Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/how/neurophysiology" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">healthysleep.med.harvard.edu</a></span></span></span></span>and help keep us awake and active. As night falls, the master clock initiates the production of <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/melatonin">melatonin</a>, a hormone that promotes sleep, and then keeps transmitting signals that help us stay asleep through the night.</p>
<p>In this way, our circadian rhythm <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="9"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/how/internal-clock" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78220" data-source-index="9"><span class="source-text">aligns our sleep and wakefulness with day and night </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-9" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">A production of WGBH Educational Foundation and the Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/how/internal-clock" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">healthysleep.med.harvard.edu</a></span></span></span></span>to create a stable cycle of restorative rest that enables increased daytime activity.</p>
</section>
<section>
<h2 id="091e9c5e81bb054e-1-3">Different Patterns for Different People</h2>
<p>You’ve likely noticed that you feel more alert during certain parts of the day and have lower energy at others. This pattern has to do with your “chronotype,” or personal circadian rhythm. They vary from person to person, although they tend to run in families.</p>
<p>Most of the time, people fall into one of two groups:</p>
<p><strong>Early birds:</strong> If you find it easy to wake up in the morning and feel you have the most energy early in the day, you’re a morning person or a “lark.” Some research suggests that an early bird’s body clock may run slightly faster than 24 hours.</p>
<section><strong>Night owls:</strong> If you’re an evening person, some research suggests that your body clock runs slower than 24 hours. You’ll find it hard to wake up in the mornings and feel alert. You’ll have the most energy much later in the day, like 11 p.m.Your chronotype isn’t set in stone, though. Circadian rhythms naturally change as you age. For example, the body clock shifts during adolescence, making <a href="https://teens.webmd.com/default.htm" data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="">teens</a> want to go to bed later and sleep longer than younger kids.Your work or school schedule may mean that you need to switch from a night owl to an early bird. You can try to alter your circadian rhythm yourself, but do it slowly. For example, try waking up 15 minutes earlier each morning over the course of a week.</section>
<section>
<h2 id="091e9c5e81bb054e-2-5">Circadian Rhythms Out of Sync</h2>
<p>Small changes can upset your circadian rhythms. These include:</p>
<p><strong>Extra sleep. </strong>Your body clock works best when you stick to a schedule. In an ideal world, you’ll go to sleep and wake up within a half hour of the same time each day, even on weekends.</p>
<p><strong>Travel. </strong>When you pass through time zones, you can adjust your watch but not your body clock. It will try to function on the time it is at your home, a problem you may know as jet lag. The more time zones you pass through, the more off you may feel. Your body clock will reset to the new time you’re in, but it can take a few days.</p>
<p><strong>Screen time. </strong>Any amount of light signals your brain that it’s time to be up and alert. Even the blue light from your tablet, smartphone, or TV has this effect. To get a good night’s sleep, unplug from all screens 2 to 3 hours before bed. Other artificial light can have the same effect, so turn off hallway lights and face your alarm clock away from you. If you’re bothered by light outside your home, put up blackout curtains or use a sleep mask.</p>
<p><strong>Night shifts. </strong>If you work nights, you’ll need to sleep during the day. This can be tough since your body is programmed to be awake when it’s light outside. Over time, you can start to have what’s called shift work disorder. You’ll find it hard to stay awake at night, yet struggle to sleep during the day. Naps during the day or your night shift can help.</p>
<p><strong>Your period. </strong>Many women notice that they sleep worse before their period starts. This may be due, at least in part, to a change in circadian rhythms. Some studies show that <em>less </em>sleep during this time can reset your body clock and give some relief. Bright daylight or light therapy may also make a difference.</p>
<h2 id="what-does-circadian-rhythm-affect-besides-sleep--3" class="wp-block-heading">What Does Circadian Rhythm Affect Besides Sleep?</h2>
<p>While the sleep-wake cycle is one of the most prominent circadian rhythms, these 24-hour internal clocks play a vital role in <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="10"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://biobeat.nigms.nih.gov/2014/10/4-timely-facts-about-our-biological-clocks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78279" data-source-index="10"><span class="source-text">virtually all systems of the body </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-10" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Blog</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The NIGMS supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://biobeat.nigms.nih.gov/2014/10/4-timely-facts-about-our-biological-clocks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">biobeat.nigms.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>.</p>
<p>Research continues to uncover details about circadian rhythms, but <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="11"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28977444/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78175" data-source-index="11"><span class="source-text">evidence has connected them </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-11" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28977444/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>to metabolism and weight through the regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol. Circadian rhythms influence mental health as well, including the risk of psychiatric illnesses like <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/depression-and-sleep">depression</a> and bipolar disorder as well as the potential for <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="12"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://medlineplus.gov/degenerativenervediseases.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="79781" data-source-index="12"><span class="source-text">neurodegenerative diseases </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-12" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">Medline Plus</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://medlineplus.gov/degenerativenervediseases.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">medlineplus.gov</a></span></span></span></span>like <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/dementia-and-sleep">dementia</a>.</p>
<p>There are indications that circadian rhythms have an important influence on the immune system as well as processes of DNA repair that are <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="13"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25302769/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78763" data-source-index="13"><span class="source-text">involved in preventing cancer </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-13" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25302769/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>. Early-stage research indicates that circadian cycles can <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="14"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2018/targeting-circadian-clock-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="82319" data-source-index="14"><span class="source-text">influence the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-14" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Cancer Institute (NCI)</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The NCI is the federal government&#8217;s principal agency for cancer research and training.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2018/targeting-circadian-clock-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">cancer.gov</a></span></span></span></span>and that new medications may be able to harness biological clocks to kill cancer cells.</p>
<h2 id="what-happens-when-circadian-rhythm-is-off--4" class="wp-block-heading">What Happens When Circadian Rhythm Is Off?</h2>
<p>When circadian rhythm is thrown off, it means that the body’s systems don’t function optimally.</p>
<p>A disturbed sleep-wake circadian rhythm can give rise to serious sleeping problems. Without the proper signaling from the body’s internal clock, a person can struggle to fall asleep, wake up during the night, or be unable to sleep as long as they want into the morning. Their total sleep can be reduced, and a disrupted circadian rhythm can also mean shallower, fragmented, and lower-quality sleep.<strong><span id="authors-toggle" class="modal-trigger text-neutral-dark"><a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/about-us/eric-suni" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eric Suni</a>, Staff Writer</span></strong> <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">source</a></p>
</section>
</section>
</section>
<h2 id="what-can-disrupt-circadian-rhythm--5" class="wp-block-heading">What Can Disrupt Circadian Rhythm?</h2>
<p>Disruptions to circadian rhythm can occur over the short- or long-term. Experts have identified a number of types of circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWD) based on their characteristics and causes.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/travel-and-sleep/jet-lag"><b>Jet Lag</b></a><b> Disorder:</b> This occurs when a person crosses multiple time zones in a short period of time and gets its name from the fact that it is often experienced by people who take intercontinental flights. Until a person’s circadian rhythm can acclimate to the day-night cycle of their new location, they are likely to suffer sleeping problems and fatigue from jet lag.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/shift-work-disorder/what-shift-work"><b>Shift Work</b></a><b> Disorder:</b> Work obligations can cause major disruptions in a person’s circadian rhythm. Shift work, which requires having to work through the night and sleep during the day, puts a person’s sleep schedule directly at odds with the local daylight hours.</li>
<li><b>Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder:</b> People with this type of disruption find that they get tired early in the evening and wake up very early in the morning. Even if they want to be up later at night or sleep later in the morning, people with an advanced sleep phase disorder usually cannot do so. This disorder is relatively rare, <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="16"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17395535/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78618" data-source-index="16"><span class="source-text">affecting around 1% of people in middle and older age </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-16" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span><a id="source-card-close-16" class="source-card-close-icon p-2 text-align-right" data-role="button" aria-role="close" data-source-index="16"></a></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17395535/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>, and occurs more frequently in older adults. In some cases, advanced sleep phase disorder may be related to an inherited genetic cause.</li>
<li><b>Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder:</b> This type of circadian rhythm disruption is associated with “night owls” who stay up late at night and sleep in late in the morning. It is rare among the general population — affecting just 1 or 2 people out of every 1,000 — but impacts up to 16% of <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/teens-and-sleep">teens</a>. The exact cause is unknown but may be related to genetics, underlying physical conditions, and a person’s behavior.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/non-24-sleep-wake-disorder"><b>Non-24 Hour Sleep Wake Disorder:</b></a> This condition occurs <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="17"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/non-24-hour-sleep-wake-disorder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="82239" data-source-index="17"><span class="source-text">primarily in people who are blind </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-17" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span><a id="source-card-close-17" class="source-card-close-icon p-2 text-align-right" data-role="button" aria-role="close" data-source-index="17"></a></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">NORD is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/non-24-hour-sleep-wake-disorder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">rarediseases.org</a></span></span></span></span>and are not able to receive light-based cues for their circadian rhythm. Their body still follows a 24-hour cycle, but their sleeping hours constantly shift backward by minutes or hours at a time.</li>
<li><b>Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder:</b> People with this rare disorder have no consistent pattern to their sleep and may have many naps or short sleeping periods throughout a 24-hour day. It is <span class="source-shortcode d-inline" data-source-index="18"><a class="source-link position-relative is-trusted" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20160950/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" data-source-id="78561" data-source-index="18"><span class="source-text">frequently connected to conditions that affect the brain </span></a><span class="source-card-wrapper"><span id="source-18" class="card source-card border-radius-none border border-primary position-absolute bg-neutral-light source-card-right"><span class="card-header bg-neutral-light border-0 d-flex justify-content-between"><span class="trusted-label font-size-sm"><a class="text-gray-dark font-weight-medium text-decoration-none" href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/editorial-policy">Trusted Source</a></span><a id="source-card-close-18" class="source-card-close-icon p-2 text-align-right" data-role="button" aria-role="close" data-source-index="18"></a></span><span class="card-body pt-0 d-block"><strong class="source-title d-block">National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information</strong><span class="source-description d-block font-size-xs line-height-sm my-2">The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.</span><a class="source-domain font-weight-light d-block" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20160950/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</a></span></span></span></span>, such as dementia or traumatic brain injury, that limit the proper functioning of the master clock in the hypothalamus.</li>
</ul>
<p>As this list demonstrates, there are diverse causes of circadian rhythm disorders. Some circadian disruptions are related to individual behavior, such as for travel or work, that puts sleep schedules out of whack with normal daylight exposure. Other disorders stem from an underlying issue that causes an inability to receive or process environmental cues that regulate the body’s master clock. In certain situations, genetic causes may be involved, or the cause may remain unknown.</p>
<h2 id="how-to-maintain-a-healthy-circadian-rhythm-6" class="wp-block-heading">How To Maintain a Healthy Circadian Rhythm</h2>
<p>While we don’t have full control over our circadian rhythm, there are <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/healthy-sleep-tips">healthy sleep tips</a> that can be taken to try to better entrain our 24-hour sleep cycles.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default infographic-desktop">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-8358 aligncenter" src="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2f3nx9w_SF_DataViz-8-SleepWake-Desktop-1536x1062-1-1024x708.png" alt="" width="640" height="443" srcset="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2f3nx9w_SF_DataViz-8-SleepWake-Desktop-1536x1062-1-1024x708.png 1024w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2f3nx9w_SF_DataViz-8-SleepWake-Desktop-1536x1062-1-300x207.png 300w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2f3nx9w_SF_DataViz-8-SleepWake-Desktop-1536x1062-1-768x531.png 768w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2f3nx9w_SF_DataViz-8-SleepWake-Desktop-1536x1062-1.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-spacer" aria-hidden="true"></div>
<ul>
<li><b>Seek out sun:</b> Exposure to natural light, especially early in the day, helps reinforce the strongest circadian cue.</li>
<li><b>Follow a consistent sleep schedule:</b> Varying your bedtime or morning wake-up time can hinder your body’s ability to adjust to a stable circadian rhythm.</li>
<li><b>Get daily exercise:</b> Activity during the day can support your internal clock and help make it easier to fall asleep at night.</li>
<li><b>Avoid caffeine:</b> Stimulants like <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/caffeine-and-sleep">caffeine</a> can keep you awake and throw off the natural balance between sleep and wakefulness. Everyone is different, but if you’re having trouble sleeping, you should avoid caffeine after noon.</li>
<li><b>Limit light before bed:</b> Artificial light exposure at night can interfere with circadian rhythm. Experts advise dimming the lights and putting down <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-electronics-affect-sleep">electronic devices</a> in the lead-up to bedtime and keeping electronics out of the bedroom and away from your <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-mattress">mattress</a>.</li>
<li><b>Keep naps short and early in the afternoon:</b> Late and long naps can push back your bedtime and throw your sleep schedule off-kilter.</li>
</ul>
<p>These steps to improve <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene">sleep hygiene</a> can be an important part of supporting a healthy circadian rhythm, but other steps may be necessary depending on the situation. If you have persistent or severe sleeping problems, daytime drowsiness, and/or a problematic sleep schedule, it’s important to talk with a doctor who can best diagnose the cause and offer the most appropriate treatment.</p>
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<h1 class="h1 feature-post__title" style="text-align: center;">Circadian Rhythm: What Is It And How To Reset Your Body Clock?</h1>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11766" src="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2021-01-11-Energy-210112--1024x589.png" alt="" width="640" height="368" srcset="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2021-01-11-Energy-210112--1024x589.png 1024w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2021-01-11-Energy-210112--400x230.png 400w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2021-01-11-Energy-210112--768x442.png 768w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2021-01-11-Energy-210112--1536x883.png 1536w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2021-01-11-Energy-210112-.png 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></p>
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<h3 id="humanshaveclockgenesthatmakethebodyticklikeawelloiledmachinelearnaboutyourcircadianrhythmandhowitaffectsyourhealthanddiseaserisks">Humans have clock genes that make the body tick like a well-oiled machine. Learn about your circadian rhythm and how it affects your health and disease risks.</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>A circadian rhythm is a 24-hour biological clock that affects your sleep, digestion, and metabolism. When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, it can even increase your disease risks.</p>
<p>The circadian rhythm is a body clock that organises all the biological processes necessary for life. It is dictated by clock genes that trigger essential metabolic activities, like storing energy, transporting oxygen, getting rid of waste, and releasing hormones and neurotransmitters.</p>
<h3 id="tableofcontents">Table of contents</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="#what-is-it">What is a circadian rhythm?</a></li>
<li><a href="#how-it-works">How the circadian cycle works</a></li>
<li><a href="#reset">Do you need to reset your body clock?</a></li>
<li><a href="#health">Circadian rhythm and health</a></li>
<li><a href="#fix-your-sleep">How to fix your sleep schedule</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p>Even though you can’t see or feel this clock, circadian health is essential for your health and wellbeing. In this article, you’ll discover what happens when the cycle rhythm is disrupted, how to reset your body clock, and how to fix your sleep schedule.</p>
<h2 id="whatisacircadianrhythmanamewhatisita">What is a circadian rhythm?<a name="what-is-it"></a></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8ZXOfWUbms" width="640" height="385" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe><figcaption>How does your body know what time it is? (Ted Ed video)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour clock that dictates millions of invisible metabolic processes that keep the body alive. It determines digestive rhythms, fat burning and fat storage, sleeping patterns, and much more. This biological rhythm is run by clock genes that signal when each process should take place.</p>
<div class="custom-quote">Approximately 20% of genes turn on and off during the 24-hour cycle.</div>
<p>Going to bed late, playing with your phone at midnight, eating late in the evening, and working night shifts are all factors that can shift your circadian cycle. Scientific evidence now indicates that circadian rhythm disruptions are associated with serious, but preventable, chronic diseases like diabetes type II, heart disease, obesity, stroke, and cancers.</p>
<h3 id="howthecircadiancycleworksanamehowitworksa">How the circadian cycle works<a name="how-it-works"></a></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<figure><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11765" src="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Circadian-rhythm-chart-Atlas-Biomed-1-1-1024x848.png" alt="" width="640" height="530" srcset="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Circadian-rhythm-chart-Atlas-Biomed-1-1-1024x848.png 1024w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Circadian-rhythm-chart-Atlas-Biomed-1-1-400x331.png 400w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Circadian-rhythm-chart-Atlas-Biomed-1-1-768x636.png 768w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Circadian-rhythm-chart-Atlas-Biomed-1-1-1536x1271.png 1536w, https://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Circadian-rhythm-chart-Atlas-Biomed-1-1-2048x1695.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption>A circadian rhythm chart can help you optimise your daily activities</figcaption></figure>
<p>The circadian rhythm is made up of a set of clocks and a central “master clock”, called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is located in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating stress, reproduction, and growth hormones. It also indirectly impacts sleep hormones.</p>
<p>The body’s clock contains about 20,000 cells, which are located just above the intersection of the optic nerves. The cycle rhythm is set by signals from special melanopsin cells in the retina in response to light exposure. Blue light (from bright daylight, phone screens, and TVs) has the strongest effect on melanopsin receptors, followed by green and red light.</p>
<div class="custom-quote">The circadian rhythm reacts to light: it wakes you up, and it puts you to sleep by triggering cascades of chemical events in your brain.</div>
<div class="footnote-wrapper">
<p>Body clock genes have been discovered in nearly every organ of the human body. These genes turn on and off at predictable times, switching on and shutting down the production of proteins that perform essential functions within the body’s cells.</p>
<div class="footnote"><a href="https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/explained-sleep-could-wash-alzheimers-waste-out-of-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="" src="https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/content/images/2021/01/Science-bites--NEW-orange.png" alt="Science-bites--NEW-orange" width="647" height="372" /></a></div>
<h3 class="footnote"><a href="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/sleep-could-wash-alzheimers-waste-out-of-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sleep washes Alzheimer’s particles from the brain</a></h3>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Interestingly, studies show that blind mice and blind people still have active melanopsin receptors that regulate their biological clock. This helps to explain why patients suffering from blindness can “sense” light, even if they can’t see it.</p>
<p><mark><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/261d.png" alt="☝" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><strong>Find out more about your genes<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/261d.png" alt="☝" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></strong> Take the <a href="https://atlasbiomed.com/uk/dna">Atlas DNA Test</a> to explore how your genetic make-up affects your health and wellbeing.</mark></p>
<h2 id="doyouneedabodyclockresetanamereseta">Do you need a body clock reset?<a name="reset"></a></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Sleeping at irregular times, using devices, eating late at night, and other pernicious habits displace the cycle rhythm. When a person’s biological cycle isn’t on schedule, it causes a wide range of minor health issues that can affect everyday life.</p>
<p>Low energy, mood swings, food cravings, weak immunity, and having trouble losing weight are common side effects of circadian disruption according to <a href="https://www.salk.edu/scientist/satchidananda-panda/">Professor Satchidananda Panda</a>, author of the Circadian Code.</p>
<div class="table">
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Area</th>
<th>Common problems</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sleep</td>
<td>Difficulty falling or staying asleep, sleeping too much</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weight</td>
<td>Weight gain, inability to lose weight</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vitality</td>
<td>Low energy, reliance on caffeinated products</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Diet</td>
<td>Late-night food cravings, stomach cramps &amp; indigestion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mood</td>
<td>Depression, emotional outbursts &amp; irrational anger</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Immunity</td>
<td>Weak immune system, frequent illness &amp; infections</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3 id="circadianrhythmanddigestionanamehealtha">Circadian rhythm and digestion<a name="health"></a></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The digestive system secretes the most gastric juices, enzymes, and hormones in the first half of the day. This activity reduces as the afternoon progresses into evening. These molecules are all essential for healthy digestion, which is why eating late at night can cause indigestion.</p>
<h3 id="circadianrhythmandsleep">Circadian rhythm and sleep</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<figure><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1575203091586-611fe505bb0e?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=MXwxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDJ8fGNsb2NrfGVufDB8fHw&amp;ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;q=80&amp;w=2000" alt="Your circadian rhythm is run by clock genes by Moritz Kindler for Unsplash." width="554" height="369" /><figcaption>Your circadian rhythm is run by clock genes</figcaption></figure>
<p>At night, the circadian rhythm is focused on putting the body to sleep, removing waste products, and repairing tissues from the wear-and-tear of daytime activities. In fact, sleep is the only time for the brain to remove the waste products of chemical reactions.</p>
<blockquote><p>When you mess with your sleep schedule, or deprive yourself of sleep, you impair the brain’s ability to operate at maximum efficiency.</p></blockquote>
<h3 id="circadianrhythmanddisease">Circadian rhythm and disease</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Living out of sync with the body’s circadian rhythm over the short and long term is associated with serious, chronic, and preventable diseases that affect the body’s metabolism, according to a 2016 systematic review on the “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5314421/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Interaction between circadian rhythms and stress</a>”.</p>
<div class="footnote-wrapper">
<p>In one referenced study, the human participants with impaired circadian rhythm function had “higher blood glucose and insulin levels as well as elevated blood pressure, which are markers for metabolic and cardiovascular disease.”</p>
<div class="footnote"></div>
</div>
<p>The study’s summary of its effects on night shift workers demonstrated that such professionals have “a higher incidence of obesity, diabetes type II and related metabolic disturbances along with hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary heart disease, and ischemic stroke”.</p>
<h2 id="howtofixyoursleepscheduleanamefixyoursleepa">How to fix your sleep schedule<a name="fix-your-sleep"></a></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Light and darkness are the main determinants in circadian rhythm. When daylight or screen light is detected by your eyes, it sends signals to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which regulates all the clock genes in your body.</p>
<p>To reset your body clock, you need to put yourself on a schedule that respects your body’s metabolic rhythm. While this may be impossible for night shift workers, it is an achievable goal for people with day jobs.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Turn off TV screens, phones, and tablets 1-2 hours before bed.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Eat your biggest meal early in the day when digestive juices are highest.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Stay away from caffeinated beverages in the afternoon and evening.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cut down on alcohol at night because it affects sleep quality.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Stop eating at least 3 hours before bed to avoid indigestion.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Get blackout curtains and dim light bulbs for your bedroom.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="sources">
<div class="sources-header is-toggled">Sources:</div>
<ul>
<li>[Sachin Panda, The Circadian Code]</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5314421/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Koch C.E. et al., Interaction between Circadian Rhythm and Stress 2017</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12015981" target="_blank" rel="noopener">S. Panda et al., Coordinated Transcription of Key Pathways in the Mouse by the Circadian Clock</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blue light has a dark side</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/Factsheet_CircadianRhythms.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Circadian rhythms fact sheet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2954516/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thomas C. Erren et al., Shift Work and Cancer 2010</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30264707" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bennett J.E. et al. (2018). NCD Countdown 2030: worldwide trends in non-communicable disease mortality and progress towards Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<h3 id="what-happens-when-circadian-rhythm-is-off--4" class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">What Happens When Circadian Rhythm Is Off?</span><span style="color: #0000ff;"> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/circadian-rhythms-what-are-circadian-rhythms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn More</a></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Do You Wake Up Every Night At The Same Time?</span> <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/do-you-wake-up-every-night-at-the-same-time-this-is-what-it-means/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn More</a></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">How to Reset Your Sleep Cycle When You Live With Insomnia</span> <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/how-to-reset-your-sleep-cycle-when-you-live-with-insomnia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn More</a></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">What You Eat Affects How You Sleep? <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://goodshepherdmedia.net/what-you-eat-affects-how-you-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn More</a></span></span></h3>
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