Bi-directional Influence Between Circadian and Ultradian Rhythms

The human body operates through a complex network of biological rhythms that govern everything from sleep patterns to hormone release, metabolism, and cognitive performance. While much attention is given to circadian rhythms—the 24-hour cycles that align our biological processes with the day-night cycle—there are also shorter cycles known as ultradian rhythms. Ultradian rhythms last less … Read more

How Climate Change Could Affect Circadian Rhythms

As the global climate continues to change, its impact on ecosystems and living organisms is becoming increasingly evident. One area of growing concern is how climate change could affect circadian rhythms—the internal biological clocks that regulate the sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, reproduction, and other physiological processes in humans, animals, and plants. Circadian rhythms are tightly linked … Read more

Circadian Rhythms in Non-Mammalian Species

While much of what we know about circadian rhythms comes from studies in humans and other mammals, these internal biological clocks are found across a wide range of organisms, including non-mammalian species like birds, reptiles, fish, and even insects and plants. The circadian rhythms of these species play a critical role in regulating behaviors such … Read more

Chronotherapy: Aligning Medical Treatments to Biological Clocks

The effectiveness of medical treatments can vary depending on the time of day they are administered. This is because many physiological processes in the body—such as hormone production, metabolism, and immune function—are regulated by the circadian rhythm, the internal clock that follows a 24-hour cycle. Chronotherapy is the practice of timing medical treatments to align … Read more

Social Jet Lag: What It Is and How to Overcome It

In today’s fast-paced world, many people experience a misalignment between their biological clock and social obligations. This phenomenon, known as social jet lag, refers to the discrepancy between an individual’s natural circadian rhythm and the sleep-wake schedule imposed by societal demands such as work, school, or social activities. While traditional jet lag is caused by … Read more

The Role of Hormones in Circadian Adjustment

Hormones play a pivotal role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal clock that governs many physiological processes, including sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, and mood. These hormones act as messengers, helping to align the body’s functions with external cues like light and darkness. When the circadian rhythm is disrupted—due to factors like jet lag, … Read more

Circadian Clock Genes and Their Functions

The circadian rhythm is an internal 24-hour clock that regulates a wide range of biological processes, including the sleep-wake cycle, hormone release, metabolism, and cellular repair. At the heart of this system are circadian clock genes, which play a crucial role in maintaining the timing and synchronization of these rhythms in response to environmental cues … Read more

The Genetic Basis of Circadian Rhythms

The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour internal clock that regulates various biological processes, such as the sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, hormone release, and body temperature. These rhythms are not just influenced by external cues like light and temperature; they are also deeply rooted in our genetic makeup. At the core of this system are specific genes … Read more