Circadian rhythms are significant to the functional and behavioral components of life. They influence many behaviors in living beings, such as sleeping and eating. Circadian rhythms also have internalized functions, such as controlling body temperature and hormone regulation over a period of time. Research into circadian rhythms seeks to understand how internal and external factors contribute to effects such as body temperatures or drowsiness levels at certain times of day. These findings can have significant clinical impacts, as they allow us to achieve a higher understanding of how circadian rhythms influence the body and overall health. While different processes of the body may rely on various circadian rhythms, research supports the idea that pushing against these favored rhythms can negatively affect an individual’s health in multiple ways.
Research from Loyola University Chicago has studied the connection between circadian rhythms and feeding behaviors in fruit flies, or Drosophila melanogaster. The experimental design used a temperature- and light-controlled setting to eliminate external stimuli that could potentially manipulate circadian rhythms. Under constant darkness and temperature conditions of 25 degrees Celsius the circadian rhythms of the fruit flies associated with feeding behaviors could be analyzed through the measurement of food consumption over time. The results of this study support the idea that the body contains internalized mechanisms for controlling circadian rhythms in the absence of external factors, such as light and temperature (Fulgham et al., 2021). With this research in mind, future studies can progress to look at how these circadian rhythms can regulate other behaviors and functions of the body.
West Virginia University studied circadian rhythms and their impact on mental health. This research noted the health disparities that negatively affect night shift workers compared to individuals who work the day shift, including both physical and psychological problems. Due to exposure to light during the night, night shift workers often report suffering from shift work disorder (SWD), which can result in symptoms such as excessive sleepiness and insomnia (Sack et al., 2007). These symptoms can lead to irritable mood and impede a person’s ability to participate in normal-day activities as they need to sleep during a time when others are awake. Previous studies have found a significant increase in the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in individuals who work night shift compared to those who do not. This correlation may be due to the fact that a person’s body is actively fighting against their normal circadian cycles when he or she stays awake at night and sleeps during the day. Some of these relevant processes which are involved in sleep behavior include the release of melatonin and cortisol. These factors together may create a link between mental health and circadian rhythms through SWD. Studies in rodents have found resynchronization techniques to be helpful in improving symptoms of mood disorders (Walker et al., 2020). Future studies can analyze ways of incorporating resynchronization techniques into the lifestyles of night shift workers to improve their quality of life and prevent the exacerbation or development of mood disorders, such as through “black-out” window curtains to prevent sunlight from being an external factor to a person’s circadian rhythms that impedes his or her ability to sleep during the day.
Research is demonstrating the importance of circadian rhythms in both physical and psychological health. Future studies should continue to look at how these circadian systems work individually and together, how they are impacted by external factors, and ways in which resynchronization can be achieved for individuals who must go against their circadian rhythms, such as for work.
Works Cited
Fulgham, C. V., et al. Central and Peripheral Clock Control of Circadian Feeding Rhythms. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 36(6), 548–566 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1177/07487304211045835
Sack, R. L., MD, et al. Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders: Part I, Basic Principles, Shift Work and Jet Lag Disorders, Sleep, Volume 30, Issue 11, Pg. 1460–1483 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/30.11.1460
Walker, W. H., et al. Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health. Transl Psychiatry 10, 28 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-0694-0
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