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Circadian Rhythms are our body’s natural cycles that control appetite, energy, mood, sleep and libido. When our body is out of sync with nature, we suffer from a Circadian Rhythm Disorder. Almost all of us, at some time during a year fall out of balance and suffer from sleep, mood or anxiety disorders. Fortunately, after decades of research, science has found the way to create circadian balance.

Nature’s Rhythms

Much of nature is made up of rhythms or cycles. Common rhythms include the four seasons and the twenty-four hour rotation of the earth. Like nature, our bodies have rhythms. Some of the rhythms of body and mind are tied to nature. When working properly, our bodies respond to nature’s cues to create their ideal rhythms. For example, when functioning properly, the human circadian rhythm will respond to the morning light of a new day. This light will cue the body to produce cortisol, serotonin, and other hormones and neurotransmitters that get a person awake and going and cause blood pressure to increase and body temperature to rise.

At sunset, the body receives another of nature’s cues and responds to dusk and ultimately the night’s darkness. As the sun goes down the body will produce and secrete the hormone melatonin, and blood pressure will drop as the body prepares for and eventually falls off to sleep.

In reality circadian rhythms control the timing, quantity and quality of the hormones and neurotransmitters the body produces and eventually secretes. Hormones and neurotransmitters are the elements that determine how we feel, our sleep patterns, our appetite, our sex drive and other sleep and mood-related issues. When functioning properly, our circadian rhythms create circadian balance. When out of balance, quantity, quality and timing of hormone and neurotransmitter secretion suffer and our bodies suffer from a circadian rhythm disorder (CRD).

Why Circadian Rhythms are Becoming a Greater Issue

The Master Clock or Body Clock

Significant progress is being made in the field of chronobiology, the formal name for the medical science that studies circadian rhythms. Researchers have discovered that the human body is orchestrated by internal biological clocks marching to several internal rhythms that pace themselves hourly, daily, monthly, seasonally and even yearly.

Central to the timekeeping mechanism of the body and mind are Suprachaismatic nuclei or SCN. The SCN is the master clock – the circadian rhythm that controls all other rhythms of the body. The SCN is actually two clusters of 50,000 neurons, one on each side of the brain. The SCN sits inside the hypothalamus region of the brain and works with several time keeping genes. Together, the SCN and the timekeeping genes make up the central clock which governs many aspects of physiology and behavior because they orchestrate the daily rhythms and cycles that control the ebb and flow of hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters that determine wake, sleep, appetite, sex and other key aspects of our lives. It is vitally important to understand the SCN and to how to care for it.

Circadian science

The study of circadian rhythms dates back to the 19 th century. However, significant studies and observations began in earnest in the 1960’s. One early pioneer was Curt Paul Richter, a professor of psychobiology at Johns Hopkins Medical School whose innovative concepts are the foundation for established concepts and methods for studying circadian rhythms in humans.

The word circadian is Latin in origin from the word circa meaning “about” or “approximately” and dian meaning “day”. The term circadian was coined when Franz Halberg, a scientist at the University of Minnesota, published a paper in 1959 showing blood count varied according to a strict rhythm that was about a day. In fact, Halberg discovered that the rhythms actually went somewhat longer than a twenty-four hour day.

The field of chronobiology, the medical discipline that studies circadian rhythms, has since revealed that the body undergoes more than just blood count variations. In fact, the body makes significant changes throughout a day.

Human’s Free-running rhythm
Beginning in 1980, several studies were conducted to learn more about the human circadian rhythm. These studies included placing people in an isolated environment without any external cues or clues as to what time it was. These studies conclude that, if left alone, healthy humans undergo changes based on an internal clock that is longer than twenty-four hours. These changes in biological rhythms can be measured in physical strength, aerobic capacity, body temperature, blood pressure, mental alertness, production and secretion of neurotransmitters & hormones, and many other body functions.

No one knows for sure why the cycle is more than twenty-four hours as opposed to precisely twenty-four hours, nevertheless, herein lies part of the problem. If the internal circadian clock of an individual is “free-running”, (a state in which the body is not receiving external signals or cues) it is only a matter of time before lifestyle realities clash with free-running circadian time. This clash means hormone and neurotransmitter secretion becomes confused and will create problems for their health.

Zeitgebers: The Body’s Way of Synchronizing

In order for to reconcile the difference between natures exact twenty-four hour cycle and the internal circadian rhythms we free-run on, nature has given us “zeitgebers”, a German word that means “time givers”. As modern lifestyles demand more flexibility in schedules, man has lost touch with its most valuable zeitgerber, which is the sun. Modern lifestyles, work schedules, and indoor living has altered the amount of sunlight we receive as well as how we set our schedules.

It used to be that people generally woke up at dawn, worked and spent much of their day outside or near a window, and at nighttime they read by low levels of light until retiring to bed. For better or worse, we don’t follow that pattern any longer.

Social zeitgebers are important in organizing the human day. The alarm clock is an important social cue. It wakes us up and helps us to get on our schedule. Other social zeitgebers include daily activities such as eating meals together with a family, watching television, reading the mail or other regimented type of activities that are habitual in nature.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Out of Synch: what is circadian rhythm disorder?

A circadian rhythm disorder means your body is producing hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters in the wrong amounts and/or at the wrong time of the day. Circadian rhythms stimulate the timing and production of countless hormones and chemicals that affect your sleep and mood. Circadian rhythms permeate practically every aspect of our lives because they so heavily influence the chemicals that determine our mood and sleep.

Nature, through its twenty-four hour cycle of day and night, has provided us with a template or a pattern that anticipates what we need to be healthy. Nature has obviously anticipated our needs and when properly synchronized, our bodies respond to nature’s external cues.

The timing of psychological, behavioral, physiological, and hormonal rhythms with respect to natures external day-night cycle, clearly imply that temporal order is essential for optimal health. If this is true, then temporal disorder is a potential recipe for health and wellness disaster as indicated by a host of clinical and non-clinical studies. Clearly, many forms of mood and sleep problems can be traced to a circadian rhythm disturbance.

Because the circadian rhythm influences so much of how a person feels or sleeps, if a person desires optimal health, they need to manage their circadian rhythm. If a circadian rhythm is out of balance, other health aspects will be impacted and out of balance as well.

The Results of Circadian Rhythm Disorder

New research regarding the human circadian rhythm and its affect on your body is surfacing on a weekly basis. In fact, research studies are being done to determine the impact of the circadian rhythm on hypertension, cancer and a host of other diseases. Over the last couple of decades there has been significant research and clinical studies on circadian rhythm as it relates to mood and sleep disorders.

Because circadian rhythms control the release and timing of hormones, circadian rhythm disorder underlies many mood and sleep disorders. Following are some examples of how circadian rhythm disorder affects specific kinds of mood and sleep disorders.

Depressive Disorders

Clinical Depression

Researchers report that depression is closely tied to circadian rhythm disorders because almost all depression sufferers have sleep problems and feel worse at a particular time of day as well as in the winter. When treated with bright light, these problems improved significantly. Because bright light quickly corrects the circadian imbalance in depression, patients respond to light within a week verses months with antidepressant medications.

The fact that depression is circadian related is further evidenced through a new treatment known as wake therapy. Researchers believe that depression sufferers have unresponsive body clocks. Wake therapy awakens the patient several hours early, which blocks any feedback signals to the body clock when it is most active. This effect ‘reboots’ the body clock, causing it to revert to an active day cycle. With wake therapy, symptoms of depression disappear almost immediately. Wake therapy is only necessary for the first night if used with bright light each successive morning.

This revelation on circadian rhythms and depression has led researchers to conclude, “These common experiences suggest that disruptions in biological clocks may be both cause and consequence of disturbed moods.”– Michael Smolensky, The Body Clock Guide to Better Health

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

No other mood disorder is more closely associated with circadian rhythm disorder than Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. During the dark fall and winter months, the brain’s control center, the Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN) or body clock doesn’t receive the proper stimulus of light. The SCN needs bright light signals to reset itself each day. When it doesn’t receive this signal, it malfunctions and produces the wrong hormones at the wrong time of day.

Research also shows that without sunlight, the brain doesn’t produce enough serotonin, resulting in the symptoms of depression . The darker days also signal the brain to overproduce the hibernation hormone, melatonin. The symptoms diminish as the days get longer, although many SAD sufferers note brief (1-2 week) periods of SAD like symptoms in the summer.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is different than major depression in that it is marked by episodes of euphoria or mania. These episodes can last for hours, days or even months. In almost all cases of Bipolar Disorder, depressive and manic episodes are seasonal. In the Fall and Winter, bipolar sufferers enter a depressive phase, and require increased intervention. Bipolar sufferers also suffer from sleep problems and feel worse at a particular time of day. Because these symptoms reflect a circadian rhythm disorder, doctors have found success by treating bipolar disorders with bright light.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical discomforts and emotional symptoms that happen during the latter half of the menstrual cycle and usually let up during the first few days of menstruation. PMS is marked by low levels of progesterone and serotonin hormones. Researchers believe these hormones may deplete too quickly, and not allow enough time for the body to adjust. During this period, women’s body clocks also speed up causing melatonin to be released prematurely and the supply of serotonin to be cut off. This may account for the increased pain, irritability and sleep problems.

Chronic illnesses are also at their worst during PMS. Asthma, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, hot flashes, migraines, acne, rheumatoid arthritis, are all affected by this change in hormone levels.

Bright Light helps PMS

Women’s health researchers discovered that PMS is tied to circadian rhythms. Apparently, the body clock begins to cycle too quickly during the second half of the menstrual cycle, and may be a reason why these reproductive hormones deplete too quickly. Light is known to produce serotonin, the mood hormone lacking in PMS sufferers. Evening light is also the most effective way to slow the body clock down to a normal rhythm. When researchers used light to slow the body clock back down, symptoms of PMS also dissipated. The discovery that light reduces menstrual problems as well as regulates cycles, is encouraging, particularly for women who are seeking natural alternatives:

“This apparently powerful – yet simple and seemingly safe—methodology should lead to exciting progress in our understanding of human reproductive endocrinology.” – Daniel Kripke MD, Head of Chronobiology Research, UCSD.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

PMDD is a short-term depression, which occurs during the latter part of the menstrual cycle. PMDD is usually associated with more severe symptoms of PMS and interferes with the ability to interact socially. Approximately 5-10% of PMS sufferers also have PMDD. The difference between PMMD and other disorders is that its symptoms generally appear the week prior to menstruation.

There is a strong connection between PMDD and low serotonin. Serotonin acts as a calming hormone. When serotonin levels are restored, many of the more destructive symptoms of PMDD disappear, such as pain, anxiety, irritability, anger and food cravings.

The discovery that light regulates serotonin and melatonin is significant, because these hormones are linked to PMDD. For example, studies show that women suffering from PMS and PMMD not only have low levels of serotonin, but that their body clocks are running too fast. This releases the withdrawal hormone, melatonin, too early, which depletes serotonin reserves and causes sleep problems. Using this special light in the evening will slow the body clock back down and balance natural serotonin levels.

Since light is known to produce serotonin as well as reset the body clock, researchers at UCSD have had success using Apollo’s Britewave technology in treating women with PMS and PMDD. Adding light a week before PMS or PMDD occurred, cut symptoms by at least 50%. This was more effective than drugs alone, but relief was even greater when light was used in conjunction with medication, especially for women with severe symptoms. Many women reported complete relief from light alone.

Prenatal and Postpartum Depression

Prenatal and postpartum depressions are depressive disorders that occur during or within a year after pregnancy, afflicting 10% of all women. Prenatal and postpartum depressions are among the most serious mood disorders for women because they impact the health of the fetus and newborn. An expectant mother will not take as good care of herself, which may harm the fetus. Studies also show that depressed mothers don’t care for their babies as well as other mothers. They talk less, show less affection and don’t’ respond as well. As a result, their babies have more problems socially; they withdraw, and are less animated than other babies. Commenting on the long-term consequences,

“Children of depressed mothers are at increased risk for anxiety disorders in childhood, major depression in adolescence, and alcohol dependence in early adulthood. Furthermore, depressed offspring of depressed parents have a longer duration of episodes, more impairment, more medical problems and receive less mental health treatment. In addition to having more serious and recurrent depression, they are more socially and vocationally impaired. Thus, to reverse these adverse consequences of maternal depression, treatments need to be instituted early in the course of the illness.”

Why expectant and new mothers become depressed

Pregnancy and delivery causes hormone levels in some women to be too low. During pregnancy, the body clock releases hormones that increase the body’s ability to deal with the added stress of having a baby. These hormones take their toll though, by depleting reserves of serotonin, the hormone associated with wellness and mood. During the third trimester and just after birth, serotonin levels are as low as those found in people with major depression. This is why over 70% of new mothers experience the ‘blues,’ and 10% suffer from depressive illnesses.

Pregnancy and postpartum depressions affect the body clock
Researchers have also noted a strong connection between circadian rhythms and pregnancy related depressions. Symptoms are generally worse in the morning time, and the sleep problems are a result of disrupted circadian rhythms. Since light is known to produce serotonin as well as reset the body clock, researchers at Yale and UCSD have had success using Apollo’s BRITEWAVE™ technology in treating women with pregnancy related depressions. In this case, the specialized light is used in the morning time. News that morning bright light is helpful is important because anti-depressant medication is undesirable during pregnancy and nursing.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia

Because the circadian rhythm controls the sleep/wake cycle, circadian rhythm disorder often results in insomnia. If there is a pattern to the sleep disturbance, i.e., one consistently wakes up or falls asleep at the wrong time, or if he/she cannot get to sleep at certain times, it is most likely that his/her circadian rhythm is malfunctioning.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) estimates that 25% of all sleep problems are directly related to circadian sleep disorders and several other sleep problems are either caused by or contribute to circadian rhythm disorders. These sleep disorders include late night and early morning, insomnia, interrupted sleep patterns, free-cycling sleep disturbances and irregular sleep disorders. (For specific information on all circadian related sleep disorders, visit the sleep section on this webpage.) The two most common sleep problems—Late night and early morning insomnia are discussed below.

Late Night Insomnia

The majority of people with sleep problems experience difficulty being able to fall asleep. They may only experience a few hours of sleep each night, and feel worse in the morning time. In this case, the body clock is running slower than a normal circadian rhythm (24 hour period). The clinical term for late night insomnia is Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder or DCR. DCR sufferers’ body clock doesn’t ‘wake up’ until later in the morning or day. They have difficulty getting started in the morning, may feel a bit groggy or down during part of the day, and may experience a second wind later in the evening. Those with DCR are often referred to as night owls, and find it easier to stay up late at night.

With DCR, the daily cycle, or circadian rhythm is running slow, and the pineal gland releases the nighttime hormone melatonin too late, causing sleep to occur later. In the morning, the body clock is still producing the nighttime hormones. This is why it may take several hours to feel active and energetic. Because DCR sufferers don’t receive the proper amount of sleep, energy, alertness and ability to function may also be diminished.

Because DCR is the result of a slower circadian rhythm, bright morning light is the most successful means to speed the body clock up and restore circadian rhythms to their normal function. Because DCR disorders vary with individuals, the treatment schedule needs to be adapted accordingly. Apollo provides an effective assessment tool on its website for determining the proper treatment schedule and guidelines.

Early Morning Insomnia

As people age, they tend to have difficulty staying asleep, and usually awaken hours before dawn. Those with early morning insomnia generally tire easily in the afternoon or evening and have little difficulty falling asleep. The clinical term for this disorder is Advanced Circadian Rhythm Disorder or ACR. ACR happens when the body clock is running faster than a normal 24-hour period. Because the body clock is running too fast, ACR sufferers tend to run out of energy before the ‘day’ or 24 hour period is through. ACR also tends to compress the sleep portion of the daily cycle, causing ACR sufferers to often sleep less than 8 hours per night.

Because the circadian rhythm is running fast, the pineal gland releases the nighttime hormone melatonin prematurely, causing one to feel tired earlier in the evening. Since melatonin is released prematurely, the body clock can’t sustain a complete sleep cycle, causing early insomnia.

Bright evening light has been shown to be the most effective treatment for ACR. Evening light slows the body clock down to a normal rhythm. This delays the onset of melatonin and sleep, allowing the person to sleep longer and have more energy in the late afternoon and evening.

CRD’s contribute to other sleep disorders

Circadian Rhythm Disorders keep our bodies from enjoying a complete or rejuvenating sleep. Because CRD’s disrupt the sleep pattern, they may contribute to narcolepsy, sleep apnea, snoring, etc. Most people find these symptoms diminish when their circadian rhythms are working properly

Other Disorders that show a circadian Pattern

Jet Lag

Jet lag is the result of one’s body clock being out of synch with a new time zone. The symptoms of jet lag are similar to depression, and will persist until the body clock can respond to the new time. Without intervention, this process takes one to two weeks, depending on the distance traveled. Jet lag is easily avoided by using timed bright light to speed up the body clock’s adaptation to the new time.

Shift Work

Shift work almost always causes a circadian rhythm disruption, where a person’s internal body clock is at odds with the shift schedule. Shift work problems are well documented and range from perfomance issues to accidents and other health problems. Recent evidence shows that shift work may contribute to cancer because working at night in well lit enviornments suppresses melatonin, which acts as a powerful anti oxident. Additionally, proper circadian signaling causes cells to die, and shift workers may not be receiving these needed signals. As a result, mutated or deformed cells continue to grow when they otherwise would be destroyed.

Shift workers can easily adapt their body clocks to work within the shift schedule’s requirements by using a light therapy protocol. Using this protocol will increase work performance, improve sleep and off-shift scheduling problems, as well as decrease health and cancer related risks.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented that a circadian pattern exists in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Pain, fatigue, mood, social activity, energy, sleep and weight worsened significantly in the Winter. In addition, about half of CFS sufferers also have major depression in the Winter. Because circadian rhythms affect CFS, researchers have found success treating with light therapy, and have commented that, “Light therapy may provide patients with CFS an effective treatment alternative or adjunct to antidepressant drugs.”

What causes circadian rhythm disorder?

Unfortunately, modern living has dramatically altered nature’s cues. We have developed lifestyle patterns, shelter, conveniences, and modes of travel that dramatically influence the cues that drive other mammals. A modern day does not start at the crack of dawn or end at 8pm.

In a modern day, we get up when the alarm clock tells us too, work indoors, often in inner cities or interior offices where there is very little sunlight or the intensity is ineffective in resetting our circadian clocks. After-work time is spent indoors at social gatherings or in front of the television or computer often late into the night. We go to bed late, usually far after we are tired, and as a result, we are dependant on an alarm clock to get us up in the morning. Unfortunately, we wake up to man made cues and our circadian rhythm has not cued our body to secrete the proper hormones and neurotransmitters resulting in an imbalance.

Unfortunately, very few of us get the amount of daylight needed. In the modern world, we live, work, and play primarily indoors. In fact, one study conducted in San Diego, one of the sunniest and ideal climates in the world found that people there received less than one hour of sunlight each day. The light they received was primarily to and from work while sitting in a car.

When our bodies are out of balance nothing seems to feel right. This is because the hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters that determine how we feel, sleep and eat are out of sync. The result is a Circadian Rhythm Disorder.

Creating circadian balance

Circadian Balance is the state we enjoy when our bodies sleep well, eat right, have lots of energy and feel great; when in balance we are at our best.

Circadian Light Therapy Resets and Stabilizes the Circadian Clock

Light is the most effective way to synchronize the body with the twenty-four hour day. In the early 1980’s two groundbreaking studies were conducted; one study was conducted at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and another at the National Institute of Mental Health. Both of these studies concluded that specific wavelengths, intensities and color spectrum of light, (not available in ordinary room lighting) could reset the circadian clock and create circadian balance. Since that time, numerous studies have been conducted to understand how and why light therapy works.

Light, when created in a circadian correct intensity, wavelength and color spectrum, has been clinically proven to reset the circadian clock. In addition to resetting the clock, light has a direct and positive impact by increasing brain serotonin levels. At the same time circadian light therapy has a depressing affect on daytime melatonin. Excessive daytime melatonin has also been linked to depression and sleep disorders.

A key point of the SCN is its location in the human body. Because the SCN sits in the hypothalmus, it is connected to the optic nerve. When the eye is exposed to circadian light the SCN receives this signal and utilizes it as it regulates the circadian cycle. Unfortunately, most people no longer get enough daylight to receive the cues that nature intended and as a result there are millions of people suffering from some form of circadian rhythm disorder.

If you feel you may have a circadian rhythm disorder, you can take a free Circadian Rhythm assessment here

In 2001 Dr. George Brainard’s team at Thomas Jefferson Medical University made a significant discovery. They identified photosensitive cells in the retina of the human eye that absorb light in the 470 nm range (blue). These cells are responsible for reacting to light and controlling the production of melatonin and serotonin.

How light Therapy Works

When bright light enters the eye a chemical messenger produced in the retina called Melanopsin activates a nerve that connects the retina to a key point in the Hypothalamus region of the brain known as the Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN) or body clock.

Once activated the Hypothalamus sends a signal to the Pineal gland. The pineal gland immediately suppresses the withdrawal hormone Melatonin and stimulates the production of the active hormone Serotonin.

As Serotonin is released you become more active, energetic and alert. This action Improves concentration and motivation.

For more information visit www.lighttherapy.com.au

About circadian rhythms

Circadian Rhythms are our body’s natural cycles that control appetite, energy, mood, sleep and libido. Almost all of us, at some time during a year fall out of balance and suffer from sleep or mood problems. Fortunately, after decades of research, science has found the way to create circadian balance.

Nature’s rhythms

Much of nature is made up of rhythms or cycles. Common rhythms include the four seasons and the twenty-four hour rotation of the earth. Like nature, our bodies have rhythms. Some of the rhythms of body and mind are tied to nature. When working properly, our bodies respond to nature’s cues to create their ideal rhythms. For example, when functioning properly, the human circadian rhythm will respond to the morning light of a new day. This light will cue the body to produce cortisol, serotonin, and other hormones and neurotransmitters that get a person awake and going and cause blood pressure to increase and body temperature to rise.

At sunset, the body receives another of nature’s cues and responds to dusk and ultimately the night’s darkness. As the sun goes down the body will produce and secrete the hormone melatonin, and blood pressure will drop as the body prepares for and eventually falls off to sleep.

In reality circadian rhythms control the timing, quantity and quality of the hormones and neurotransmitters the body produces and eventually secretes. Hormones and neurotransmitters are the elements that determine how we feel, our sleep patterns, our appetite, our sex drive and other sleep and mood-related issues. When functioning properly, our circadian rhythms create circadian balance. When out of balance, quantity, quality and timing of hormone and neurotransmitter secretion suffer and our bodies may begin to suffer from a circadian rhythm disorder (CRD).

The master clock

Significant progress is being made in the field of chronobiology, the formal name for the medical science that studies circadian rhythms. Researchers have discovered that the human body is orchestrated by internal biological clocks marching to several internal rhythms that pace themselves hourly, daily, monthly, seasonally and even yearly.

Central to the timekeeping mechanism of the body and mind are Suprachaismatic nuclei or SCN. The SCN is the master clock – the circadian rhythm that controls all other rhythms of the body. The SCN is actually two clusters of 50,000 neurons, one on each side of the brain. The SCN sits inside the hypothalamus region of the brain and works with several time keeping genes. Together, the SCN and the timekeeping genes make up the central clock which governs many aspects of physiology and behavior because they orchestrate the daily rhythms and cycles that control the ebb and flow of hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters that determine wake, sleep, appetite, sex and other key aspects of our lives. It is vitally important to understand the SCN and to how to care for it.

Circadian science

The study of circadian rhythms dates back to the 19 th century. However, significant studies and observations began in earnest in the 1960′s. One early pioneer was Curt Paul Richter, a professor of psychobiology at Johns Hopkins Medical School whose innovative concepts are the foundation for established concepts and methods for studying circadian rhythms in humans.

The word circadian is Latin in origin from the word circa meaning “about” or “approximately” and dian meaning “day”. The term circadian was coined when Franz Halberg, a scientist at the University of Minnesota, published a paper in 1959 showing blood count varied according to a strict rhythm that was about a day. In fact, Halberg discovered that the rhythms actually went somewhat longer than a twenty-four hour day.

The field of chronobiology, the medical discipline that studies circadian rhythms, has since revealed that the body undergoes more than just blood count variations. In fact, the body makes significant changes throughout a day.

Human’s free-running rhythm

Beginning in 1980, several studies were conducted to learn more about the human circadian rhythm. These studies included placing people in an isolated environment without any external cues or clues as to what time it was. These studies conclude that, if left alone, healthy humans undergo changes based on an internal clock that is longer than twenty-four hours. These changes in biological rhythms can be measured in physical strength, aerobic capacity, body temperature, blood pressure, mental alertness, production and secretion of neurotransmitters & hormones, and many other body functions.

No one knows for sure why the cycle is more than twenty-four hours as opposed to precisely twenty-four hours, nevertheless, herein lies part of the problem. If the internal circadian clock of an individual is “free-running”, (a state in which the body is not receiving external signals or cues) it is only a matter of time before lifestyle realities clash with free-running circadian time. This clash means hormone and neurotransmitter secretion becomes confused and will create problems for their health.

Zeitgebers: the body’s way of synchronizing

In order for to reconcile the difference between natures exact twenty-four hour cycle and the internal circadian rhythms we free-run on, nature has given us “zeitgebers”, a German word that means “time givers”. As modern lifestyles demand more flexibility in schedules, man has lost touch with its most valuable zeitgerber, which is the sun. Modern lifestyles, work schedules, and indoor living has altered the amount of sunlight we receive as well as how we set our schedules.

It used to be that people generally woke up at dawn, worked and spent much of their day outside or near a window, and at nighttime they read by low levels of light until retiring to bed. For better or worse, we don’t follow that pattern any longer.

]]> http://lighttherapyaustralia.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/circadian-rhythms/feed/ 0 ianmacleod circadian rhythm seratonin serotonin melatonin sleep disorder SAD http://lighttherapyaustralia.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/bluewave-lights-are-a-safe-reliable-and-efficient-method-of-resetting-your-bodyclock/ http://lighttherapyaustralia.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/bluewave-lights-are-a-safe-reliable-and-efficient-method-of-resetting-your-bodyclock/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:38:06 +0000 ianmacleod http://lighttherapyaustralia.wordpress.com/?p=49 ]]>

Quick relief for winter blues, low energy and sleep problems. Naturally. Portable, rechargeable blue therapy light with Bluewave technology Sleek new compact design New diffusion optics for softer, even light Wider treatment field gives you more flexibility Fully programmable, adjustable intensity Light is nature’s stimulant Introducing the newest addition to the goLITE family, the goLITE BLU! The Industry’s best selling BLUEWAVE® technology just got better with the release of our most feature packed goLITE ever. The goLITE BLU keeps all of the same features as the goLITE P1 but improves upon it by adding a longer lasting Lithium-ion battery, a smaller neoprene protective carrying case and an International travel plug set. The ‘BLU’ is ideal for those on the go, who may not have time to plug in their light, work the night shift, or travel frequently. Forgot to charge your BLU? No problem, the BLU works with the adapter as well. Worldwide use: BLU automatically switches from 110 to 240 volts, so you can prevent jet lag or receive light therapy anywhere in the world. The upbeat feeling we get on a bright sunny day is no accident. This feeling is the result of light triggering our bodies to release “active” hormones to help improve our mood and energy levels. Winter can be a challenge for many because the shorter days and longer nights leave us simply “light-deprived”. Without the normal light stimulation, we often feel down, lethargic and unhappy. Light therapy can provide a natural boost that may help you feel better, increase energy and even help you sleep. Using the right wavelength of light, you can trigger your active hormones naturally, boosting your mood and overcoming those down feelings, whatever the season. Blue light is the key Researchers have learned that receptors in our eyes convert the blue light from the summer sky into the chemicals our bodies need to be active and energetic. 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We have worked with the National Institutes of Health, NASA, the Mayo Clinic and others to develop high quality light therapy products. Safe, easy on your eyes Bluewave not only makes light therapy more convenient than traditional white light, but also easier on the eyes because lower intensity means less glare, eyestrain and headaches. Bluewave technology produces no UV or near-UV light, and passes ocular safety testing as well as all government and industrial ocular safety standards. Features and specifications Bluewave technology, providing 100% of the effective blue light spectrum Updated compact, sleek design Advanced diffusion optics for soft, even light Wider treatment field providing more flexibility Backlit touch screen for easy control Long lasting eye-safe LEDs Protective case Internal rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery Built-in clock Backlit digital LCD display UV free 30 day money back guarantee 2 year limited warranty Dimensions: 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 1″ (14 x 14 x 3 cm) Weight: 14 oz. (0.4 kg) Electro-magnetic field (EMF) free Complies with ACGIH/ICNRIP ocular safety standards UL, CUL, CE safety tested US & Int’l patents pending Since it was Founded in 1987 , Apollo Health, Inc. has been devoted to building the world’s best light boxes without compromise. For many years, the world’s leading light therapy researchers and doctors have known that full-spectrum, 10,000 lux light boxes can be very effective at treating seasonal affective disorder and other circadian rhythm related mood disorders. They also know that no one does 10,000 lux better than Apollo Health, which is why Apollo Health is the world’s most-recommended, best-selling brand. Now they’re building the world’s best blue spectrum light therapy device. Recently, researchers have discovered that a very specific range of blue light is the most effective color (wavelength) in treating these disorders. Apollo has spent the last several years working with leading experts to develop a new product based on this research, and we’re proud to announce the goLITE P1 and M2.These patent-pending products deliver only the most effective wavelengths, which means a more convenient treatment, and fewer side effects than traditional 10,000 lux full-spectrum light therapy devices. BLUEWAVE™ Technology Patent-pending BLUEWAVE™ is the result of ten years of research with medical universities and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Other companies may tout the benefits of this new research. Only Apollo has participated in this research and we are the only company to produce lights that provide 100% of the effective blue light. The Only Proven Blue Technology: To learn more about this effective bandwidth of light, click the following links: BLUEWAVE Safety Summary Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder with 470nm LED Light High Sensitivity to Short Wavelengths Short Wavelengths:Research Abstracts Scientists Discover key to Melatonin Regulation Specific Wavelengths Suppress Melatonin Action spectrum for Melatonin suppression Human Melatonin Regulation Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations. Apollo’s BLUEWAVE™ Technology is the only clinically proven blue light source to treat mood disorders. BLUEWAVE™ – THE MOST EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY The specific bandwidth of light that is responsible for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder and related circadian rhythm disorders ranges from 446 – 477 nm (nanometers), and is up to 5 times more effective than other wavelengths. This spectral graph shows that only Apollo’s patented BLUEWAVE™ technology precisely matches this specific bandwidth. BLUEWAVE™ VS. FULL-SPECTRUM (10,000 lux) BLUEWAVE LED technology produces the same amount of effective light as natural sunlight, while 10,000-lux full-spectrum produces less than 40%. Because BLUEWAVE produces 100% of the necessary bandwidth, it elicits a stronger and quicker response. Clinical trials have proven BLUEWAVE LED technology to be effective in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder as well as other circadian related mood disorders. Technology of the Future BLUEWAVE™ is so significant because it provides a higher effective response than full spectrum light at 1/10th the intensity 10,000-lux. This means light therapy is not only convenient but easier on the eyes with fewer side effects. Because BLUEWAVE™ is so effective, all of our BRITEWAVE™ products have also been upgraded with BLUEWAVE™ technology. Indeed, BLUEWAVE™ is the technology of the future.

• Portable, rechargeable blue therapy light with Bluewave technology
• Sleek new compact design
• New diffusion optics for softer, even light
• Wider treatment field gives you more flexibility
• Fully programmable, adjustable intensity

Light is nature’s stimulant

Introducing the newest addition to the goLITE family, the goLITE BLU! The Industry’s best selling BLUEWAVE® technology just got better with the release of our most feature packed goLITE ever. The goLITE BLU keeps all of the same features as the goLITE P1 but improves upon it by adding a longer lasting Lithium-ion battery, a smaller neoprene protective carrying case and an International travel plug set. The ‘BLU’ is ideal for those on the go, who may not have time to plug in their light, work the night shift, or travel frequently.

Forgot to charge your BLU? No problem, the BLU works with the adapter as well.

Worldwide use: BLU automatically switches from 110 to 240 volts, so you can prevent jet lag or receive light therapy anywhere in the world.

The upbeat feeling we get on a bright sunny day is no accident. This feeling is the result of light triggering our bodies to release “active” hormones to help improve our mood and energy levels.

Winter can be a challenge for many because the shorter days and longer nights leave us simply “light-deprived”. Without the normal light stimulation, we often feel down, lethargic and unhappy.

Light therapy can provide a natural boost that may help you feel better, increase energy and even help you sleep. Using the right wavelength of light, you can trigger your active hormones naturally, boosting your mood and overcoming those down feelings, whatever the season.

Blue light is the key

Researchers have learned that receptors in our eyes convert the blue light from the summer sky into the chemicals our bodies need to be active and energetic. We don’t always get this light in the winter, and indoor light doesn’t replace this color, which is why often our mood, energy and sleep patterns may suffer in the winter.

Twice as effective

The goLITE is a breakthrough in light therapy that provides just the blue light our bodies need (we call it Bluewave technology). Studies have shown that low-intensity blue light (470 nm, like that from the goLITE BLU) is twice as effective at managing our body clocks compared to other sources of light.

As little as 15 minutes per day

Using light therapy fits easily into your normal daily routine. You can do it while eating breakfast, exercising or getting ready in the morning. And many people notice a big improvement after a few days with as little as 15 minutes of use a day.

Backed by years of research

Over the last several decades, dozens of research and clinical studies have shown the effects and potential benefits of light therapy for helping those with mood, sleep and energy problems. We have worked with the National Institutes of Health, NASA, the Mayo Clinic and others to develop high quality light therapy products.

Safe, easy on your eyes

Bluewave not only makes light therapy more convenient than traditional white light, but also easier on the eyes because lower intensity means less glare, eyestrain and headaches. Bluewave technology produces no UV or near-UV light, and passes ocular safety testing as well as all government and industrial ocular safety standards.

How does Light Therapy Work ?

When the recipient is exposed to Apollo’s BLUEWAVE™ Technology, waves of light enter the eye.

A nerve that connects the retina to a key point in the Hypothalamus region of the brain is activated.

Once activated the Hypothalamus sends a signal to the Pineal gland. The pineal gland immediately suppresses the withdrawal hormone Melatonin and stimulates the production of the active hormone Serotonin.

This cutting edge technology is redefining the direction of many sciences and opening the minds of some of the staunchest skeptics.

Today light therapy is also recognised as an effective treatment for sleep disorders and is used to combat the effects of Jetlag. It’s used as a safety aid for people working the nightshift or in limited light situations such as underground mining.

Research is underway now in the areas of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Women’s menstrual health to name a few. You can see the proof in our research articles

We have always known that when the sun is shining we feel better than we do in those dark days of winter. Those short darker days can lead to varying degrees of depression. It can be as life threatening as diabetes or cancer. It can attack anyone, anytime without reason. One in five of us will get it, and your chances are twice as high if you’re a woman. It can devastate your life and those around you. This depression has now been researched and the findings have led to a new and very effective way to beat depressive illnesses or those ‘winter blues’.

A treatment known as ‘light therapy’ is now being used with great success to help treat depression, make us feel more alert and help to give us a good nights sleep. Science is also recognising the benefits for Bi-polar disorder, PMT and PMS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, chronic fatigue and can also help alleviate the problems associated with jetlag and shiftwork sleep patterns.

This is the how and why of what has been discovered and how our body clock has a greater influence on our moods and mental health than was ever known before.

A new scientific era has dawned for light therapy using full spectrum light through light boxes, a depression fighter that has languished in the shadows of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy for the past 20 years.
Solid science now confirms the benefits of light therapy for treating depression. Light therapy also yields substantial relief for people with mild-to-moderate depression unrelated to any season. Such therapy also magnifies the depression-fighting effects of antidepressants.

Dozens of clinical, placebo controlled studies have been done using light therapy to treat depression. These studies confirm that light is not only as effective as other methods, but it causes no long-term side effects. Additionally, people responded within a week to light instead of several weeks with medications, and different medication trials were needed before an effective regimen was found.

A research review commissioned by the American Psychiatric Association in Washington, D.C., concludes that in trials, daily exposure to bright light is about as effective as antidepressant drugs in quelling seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter depression, and other mental health problems.

Most scientists believe that SAD and other mood and sleep disorders are associated with shifted circadian rhythms (i.e. body clock). Circadian Rhythms are our body’s natural cycles that control appetite, energy, mood, sleep and libido. When our body is out of sync with natures cycle (i.e. the four seasons and the twenty-four hour rotation of the earth) we suffer from a Circadian Rhythm Disorder. Almost all of us, at some time during a year fall out of balance and suffer from sleep, mood or anxiety disorders.

Those with ‘weak’ circadian rhythms need a very bright stimulus of light to reset their body clock each day. When they don’t receive this light signal, their body clocks either speed up (Advance) or slow down (Delay). This “Out of Whack,” body clock then produces the wrong hormones at the wrong time of day, causing the symptoms of SAD and other mood and sleep disorders. Full spectrum lights, blue light or ‘Bright Light’ (10,000 lux intensity) has been found to be the only effective means of shifting or resetting circadian rhythms.

Neuroscientists at Jefferson Medical College have clarified how the human eye uses light to regulate melatonin production, and in turn, the body’s biological or body clock. Serotonin is also vital in this body clock regulation and it’s important to understand how both influence our day to day moods and mental health.

Serotonin is a monoamine transporter; that is it carries important messages along the neural pathway in the brain. A monoamine is the brain’s way of using paper to write a letter or send a message. The monoamine transporter is the brain’s postal carrier or mailman. Sometimes the brain doesn’t have enough paper to write messages, other times the brain’s mailboxes or receptor sites grab the message too quickly and don’t give the paper back like they are supposed to. When an imbalance occurs, a mood, energy or cognitive problem results. This is why serotonin is closely associated with depression.

Recently a research team at Baker Heart Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, has provided experimental evidence to support the long suspected role of lowered serotonin levels in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Serotonin levels were higher on bright days no matter what the time of year, and the amount of serotonin present reflected the hours of sun exposure on a particular day – conditions the day before had no effect. This suggests that daily light therapy, which many people with SAD use, has a sound basis in biology.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure at the centre of the brain. As our eyes register the fall of darkness and the onset of night melatonin is produced. It signals to our body to prepare for sleep, our blood pressure dips, there is a decrease in body temperature and we start to feel sleepy. Melatonin is one of the central hormonal elements to regulating our circadian rhythms. It is often referred to as the hibernation hormone, but, excessive levels or daytime melatonin can cause depressive disorders as it is normally released by the pineal gland in the evening as sunlight is diminishing. This evening release causes us to feel tired and withdraw and helps us to sleep, but if we have to be awake when melatonin is in our system, we become lethargic, disoriented, irritable and moody. This explains why shift work and jet lag can be so debilitating, and why depression rates are highest in darker climates.

The release of melatonin is triggered by photoreceptors in the eye, called melanopsin. This is how darkness signals the brain to produce melatonin and stop the production of active, daytime hormones such as serotonin. However, when stimulated by special light, these same photoreceptors also tell the brain to stop the production of melatonin. It’s known that exposure to light at night can disrupt the body’s production of melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland in the brain and plays a vital role in resetting the body’s daily biological clock.

George Brainard, Ph.D., professor of neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia has said: – “We have strong evidence for a novel, fifth photoreceptor and it appears to be independent of the classic photoreceptor for vision. It influences the biological effects of light. It regulates circadian rhythms and hormones in the body. We’ve also shown the fingerprint of wavelength sensitivity for the regulation of the hormone melatonin ”and“ This discovery will have an immediate impact on the therapeutic use of light for treating winter depression and circadian disorders,”

The control centre that regulates these hormones is called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, or simply the ‘body clock’, located in the hypothalamus in the back of the brain. The body clock uses signals like sunlight or specialized bright light to know when to produce the active energetic hormone serotonin, and it uses darkness to know when to produce the night time hormone melatonin. This body clock can easily malfunction from age, trauma, stress or not getting light signals at the right time of day. Scientists have identified a novel photo pigment in the human eye responsible for reacting to light and controlling the production of melatonin, which plays an important role in the body’s circadian rhythms. They also discovered that wavelengths of light in the blue region of the visible spectrum are the most effective in controlling melatonin production.

Some makers of light therapy equipment, such as Apollo Health, have developed light boxes with enhanced blue light stimuli. This specialized bright light not only suppresses melatonin, but it is also the most effective natural way of producing serotonin and other active neurotransmitters. In December’s 2002 Lancet, researchers showed that when exposed to bright light, serotonin levels increased dramatically, while dark or cloudy days caused these levels to plummet.

So with these hormone levels controllable with light therapy how and where do you start treatment? It’s no longer necessary to go for consultations at specialised centres, with portable blue light boxes now easily available. Apollo Health GoLites are a very affordable solution that can have major benefits for a number of health problems. Using the industry’s best selling BLUEWAVE® technology these light boxes provide the perfect wavelength needed to reset your body clock and get the hormone levels back to normal. If you feel tired, lethargic, moody and irritable or just generally down or depressed these might be the answer.

As with any medical condition it’s always recommended to see your regular GP if symptoms persist.

Bibliography

Light Treatment for Nonseasonal Depression: Speed, Efficacy, and Combined Treatment
The Journal of Affective Disorders
Daniel F. Kripke

Bright Light Augments Antidepressant Effects of Medication and Wake Therapy
Archives of General Psychiatry
Richard T. Loving, R.N., D.N.Sc., Daniel F. Kripke, M.D., and Stephen R. Shuchter, MD

Light Produces Brain Serotonin
The Lancet

Scientists Discover key to Melatonin Regulation
Journal of Neuroscience News Release

Apollo Light Systems
Understanding how Bright Light Affects Circadian Rhythm Disorders

The Lancet
Dec. 7, 2002, p. 1840

Human melatonin action spectrum: relevance to circadian phototransduction
AUTHOR GROUP: George Brainard 1 Thomas Jefferson University Department of Neurology Philadelphia, PA 19107

BRIGHT LIGHT AUGMENTS ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF MEDICATION AND WAKE THERAPY
Richard T. Loving, R.N., D.N.Sc.,* Daniel F. Kripke, M.D., and Stephen R. Shuchter, M.D.

Apollo Health Research Studies
Science and Light Therapy Medical News & Perspectives

Journal of Affective Disorders 49 (1998) 109–117
Research report Light treatment for nonseasonal depression: speed, efficacy, and 1 combined treatment.
Daniel F. Kripke* Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 15 December 1997 Abstract

2001Pro Health, Inc., Immune Support.com August 17, 2001
Scientists Discover Key to Melatonin Production and Regulation of Circadian Rhythms.

Apollo Health
Light Therapy Q & A

Depression

It’s as life threatening as diabetes or cancer. It can attack anyone, anytime without reason. One in five of us will get it, and your chances are twice as high if you’re a woman. It will devastate your life and those around you.

Traditional Treatment.

Most people ‘manage’ their depression through therapy and or medication. Relief is rarely complete and medication almost always has unwanted side effects.

Amazing Discovery:

From a woman, a bike and Germany; Ursula had battled depression for years. Unable to sleep, she got out and rode her bike all night. In the morning she felt tremendously better. In fact, she couldn’t remember feeling this good. Immediately she told her doctor, who was also shocked. Sadly, when she woke up again the next day, her depression had returned. From Ursula and thousands of others, doctors discovered that depression could be completely reversed, but only for a day. Still the result was nothing short of amazing, and although it only lasted a day, patients felt tremendously better.

Wake Therapy.

This treatment, known as wake therapy works like this: You sleep until 1:00 AM. Then you wake up and stay awake all day. As long as you don’t sleep, you feel great. You’ll be tired, but you’ll feel great. As soon as you go back to sleep, the depression returns. Why didn’t it last? No one knew for sure, so researchers put wake therapy aside. Still, it happened over and over again for thousands of patients. Then a new science emerged, called Chronobiology (the study of how our body clocks work) Scientists discovered we each have a body clock that controls our daily energy and sleep cycles. Our body clocks also control the production of serotonin and melatonin, both substances implicated in depression. When we get depressed, our body clock can be a major factor.

The Long-term Answer.

Scientists knew that very bright light was the only effective way to reset our body clocks.  So, could they combine bright light and wake therapy for long-term depression relief? In 1996, an Apollo colleague at the University of Vienna did the first trial run. Participants slept until 1:00am and then remained awake for the rest of the night and the next day. Just as before, they felt tremendously better, but anticipated a complete relapse once they fell asleep. Not so this time. When they awoke again, they were exposed to bright light. No
depression. It had vanished. Several weeks later it was still gone.
In 2002, Apollo and researchers at UCSD gave it a second try. Same results. Again in 2003, a larger study revealed the same results: Even after months, the depression is gone in most patients! Bright light and wake therapy are now offering an effective, non-pharmacological solution to millions of people like Ursula.

Article taken from ‘The Journals’

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Sleep Disorders Insomnia Because the circadian rhythm controls the sleep/wake cycle, circadian rhythm disorder often results in insomnia. If there is a pattern to the sleep disturbance, i.e., one consistently wakes up or falls asleep at the wrong time, or if he/she cannot get to sleep at certain times, it is most likely that his/her circadian rhythm is malfunctioning. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) estimates that 25% of all sleep problems are directly related to circadian sleep disorders and several other sleep problems are either caused by or contribute to circadian rhythm disorders. These sleep disorders include late night and early morning, insomnia, interrupted sleep patterns, free-cycling sleep disturbances and irregular sleep disorders. (For specific information on all circadian related sleep disorders, visit the sleep section on this webpage.) The two most common sleep problems—Late night and early morning insomnia are discussed below. Late Night Insomnia The majority of people with sleep problems experience difficulty being able to fall asleep. They may only experience a few hours of sleep each night, and feel worse in the morning time. In this case, the body clock is running slower than a normal circadian rhythm (24 hour period). The clinical term for late night insomnia is Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder or DCR. DCR sufferers’ body clock doesn’t ‘wake up’ until later in the morning or day. They have difficulty getting started in the morning, may feel a bit groggy or down during part of the day, and may experience a second wind later in the evening. Those with DCR are often referred to as night owls, and find it easier to stay up late at night. With DCR, the daily cycle, or circadian rhythm is running slow, and the pineal gland releases the nighttime hormone melatonin too late, causing sleep to occur later. In the morning, the body clock is still producing the nighttime hormones. This is why it may take several hours to feel active and energetic. Because DCR sufferers don’t receive the proper amount of sleep, energy, alertness and ability to function may also be diminished. Because DCR is the result of a slower circadian rhythm, bright morning light is the most successful means to speed the body clock up and restore circadian rhythms to their normal function. Because DCR disorders vary with individuals, the treatment schedule needs to be adapted accordingly. Apollo provides an effective assessment tool on its website for determining the proper treatment schedule and guidelines. Early Morning Insomnia As people age, they tend to have difficulty staying asleep, and usually awaken hours before dawn. Those with early morning insomnia generally tire easily in the afternoon or evening and have little difficulty falling asleep. The clinical term for this disorder is Advanced Circadian Rhythm Disorder or ACR. ACR happens when the body clock is running faster than a normal 24-hour period. Because the body clock is running too fast, ACR sufferers tend to run out of energy before the ‘day’ or 24 hour period is through. ACR also tends to compress the sleep portion of the daily cycle, causing ACR sufferers to often sleep less than 8 hours per night. Because the circadian rhythm is running fast, the pineal gland releases the nighttime hormone melatonin prematurely, causing one to feel tired earlier in the evening. Since melatonin is released prematurely, the body clock can’t sustain a complete sleep cycle, causing early insomnia. Bright evening light has been shown to be the most effective treatment for ACR. Evening light slows the body clock down to a normal rhythm. This delays the onset of melatonin and sleep, allowing the person to sleep longer and have more energy in the late afternoon and evening. CRD’s contribute to other sleep disorders Circadian Rhythm Disorders keep our bodies from enjoying a complete or rejuvenating sleep. Because CRD’s disrupt the sleep pattern, they may contribute to narcolepsy, sleep apnea, snoring, etc. Most people find these symptoms diminish when their circadian rhythms are working properly Light Treatment for Sleep Disorders: Consensus Report. IV. Sleep Phase and Duration Disturbances J Biol Rhythms Terman M, Lewy AJ, Dijk DJ, Boulos Z, Eastman CI, Campbell SS Advanced and delayed sleep phase disorders, and the hypersomnia that can accompany winter depression, have been treated successfully by appropriately timed artificial bright light exposure. Treating Chronobiologic Sleep and Mood Disorders with Bright Light Psychopharmacology Bull Alfred J. Lewy, MD, PhD The study of circadian rhythms and their effects on biological functions and mood have provided fascinating insights into the understanding of mental illness. 10 Treatment Guidlines for using bright light. Understanding How Bright Light Affects Circadian Rhythm Disorders Apollo Health Inc. Mood and sleep disorders have chronobiologic basis. Using therapeutic light to treat sleep disorders often resolves or mitigates the mood problem. Light must be used at the proper time of day for desired effect. Explanation of when and why to use bright light.

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