Zeitgeber

    A zeitgeber refers to any external exposure that can regulate the circadian rhythm. As a result, zeitgebers can influence various biological processes, including the sleep/wake cycle. The most important zeitgeber is light exposure.

    Summary

    Zeitgeber (from the German for “time giver”) is a term that refers to any exposure that can regulate the circadian rhythm, the so-called “internal clock” of living organisms that influences bodily processes running on a 24-hour cycle, including the sleep/wake cycle.

    The most important zeitgeber is light exposure, which influences the circadian rhythm primarily by sending a signal to suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), an area of the brain that controls melatonin production.[1] Other zeitgebers include food intake and physical activity.[2]

    References

    1. ^Christine Blume, Corrado Garbazza, Manuel SpitschanEffects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and moodSomnologie (Berl).(2019 Sep)
    2. ^Quante M, Mariani S, Weng J, Marinac CR, Kaplan ER, Rueschman M, Mitchell JA, James P, Hipp JA, Cespedes Feliciano EM, Wang R, Redline SZeitgebers and their association with rest-activity patterns.Chronobiol Int.(2019-Feb)