Circadian Rhythm and Mental Health

     Sleep and the circadian rhythm are a significant area of research in the neuroscience field. Research on sleep has revealed its importance on both mental and physical health. Phyllis C. Zee's article looked at the long-term effects of an obstructed circadian rhythm. The New York Times article by Haley Weiss looks at the trend of using magnesium supplements to aid anxiety, as a means to get better sleep. 

    In the research article by Zee, a divergence from the typical sleep wake cycle is considered a disturbance. The results of this study indicate that serotonin receptors affect the circadian rhythm. A disruption in the circadian rhythm was observed when serotonin receptors were manipulated, indicating an association between poor sleep and symptoms of anxiety. A link between sleep disturbance caused by environmental factors, such as daylight savings time, and misaligned levels of cortisol and melatonin. 

    The New York Times article by Haley Weiss highlights a recent TikTok trend of using magnesium supplements as a way to cure insomnia and ease anxiety. Magnesium glycinate is highlighted as the latest supplement to ease anxiety by increasing sleep quality. This news article mentions a recent study by Forrest H. Nielsen that suggests a link between poor sleep and magnesium deficiency. The magnesium glycinate is the more bioavailable form of magnesium and is the over-the-counter form of magnesium supplements, typically in tablet form. The theory discussed in Weiss' article highlights the effects of magnesium on muscle cramping, as magnesium is linked to the process of muscle contraction. Easing muscle cramps can lead to increased relaxation, which allows for improved sleep quality. The study discussed linked magnesium supplements with easing symptoms of insomnia, and therefore symptoms of anxiety. 

    Both of these articles tie disturbances in sleep to negative effects on mental health. Zee et al. describes how symptoms of depression can increase with irregular circadian rhythm. Weiss discusses several studies relating to the theory of magnesium glycinate and its effects on sleep quality. These articles suggest a link between increased sleep quality and improving symptoms of psychiatric disorders. 

Fishbein, A. B., Knutson, K. L., & Zee, P. C. (2021). Circadian disruption and human health. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 131(19). https://doi.org/10.1172/jci148286

Weiss, H. (2023, February 28). Magnesium glycinate is TikTok's new favorite sleep aid. Time. Retrieved March 3, 2023, from https://time.com/6258780/magnesium-glycinate-sleep-anxiety-tiktok/