The influence of light on circarhythms in humans
(2002) In Journal of Physiological Anthropology Applied Human Science 21(2). p.87-91- Abstract
- The present review discusses two types of biological rhythms, namely, circadian rhythms and circannual rhythms. Humans possess a circadian rhythm of approximately 24 hours, which is regulated by neural and hormonal processes. The synchronisation of this rhythm with the solar day and night is maintained through entrainment mainly by light. Dark environments completely lacking windows may have a negative effect on well-being and work capacity. During shift work the biological clock tends to maintain its normal 'diurnal' rhythm, which may lead to extreme tiredness and increased risk of accidents. Negative effects such as these may be partially alleviated by means of bright light during the night. During air travel across several time zones... (More)
- The present review discusses two types of biological rhythms, namely, circadian rhythms and circannual rhythms. Humans possess a circadian rhythm of approximately 24 hours, which is regulated by neural and hormonal processes. The synchronisation of this rhythm with the solar day and night is maintained through entrainment mainly by light. Dark environments completely lacking windows may have a negative effect on well-being and work capacity. During shift work the biological clock tends to maintain its normal 'diurnal' rhythm, which may lead to extreme tiredness and increased risk of accidents. Negative effects such as these may be partially alleviated by means of bright light during the night. During air travel across several time zones there is little time for the biological clock to adjust, but the resulting 'jet lag' may possibly be overcome by means of appropriately timed exposure to bright light. In countries situated far from the equator, the biological clock may become seriously disrupted during the short days of the dark season. Characterised by fatigue, sadness and sleep problems, these seasonal affective disorders may be cured or alleviated by means of regular periods outdoors, better lighting indoors, or, in the most serious cases, light therapy. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/108713
- author
- Küller, Rikard LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2002
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Fatigue, Circadian Rhythm, Human, Mood Disorders : etiology, Light, Phototherapy, Sleep Disorders : etiology
- in
- Journal of Physiological Anthropology Applied Human Science
- volume
- 21
- issue
- 2
- pages
- 87 - 91
- publisher
- BioMed Central (BMC)
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:0040078229
- ISSN
- 1345-3475
- DOI
- 10.2114/jpa.21.87
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Environmental Psychology (011036009)
- id
- 1044c16f-4cce-482d-b5d7-39fd412a4b78 (old id 108713)
- alternative location
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12056181&dopt=Abstract
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-04 09:14:57
- date last changed
- 2022-01-29 17:00:36
@article{1044c16f-4cce-482d-b5d7-39fd412a4b78,
abstract = {{The present review discusses two types of biological rhythms, namely, circadian rhythms and circannual rhythms. Humans possess a circadian rhythm of approximately 24 hours, which is regulated by neural and hormonal processes. The synchronisation of this rhythm with the solar day and night is maintained through entrainment mainly by light. Dark environments completely lacking windows may have a negative effect on well-being and work capacity. During shift work the biological clock tends to maintain its normal 'diurnal' rhythm, which may lead to extreme tiredness and increased risk of accidents. Negative effects such as these may be partially alleviated by means of bright light during the night. During air travel across several time zones there is little time for the biological clock to adjust, but the resulting 'jet lag' may possibly be overcome by means of appropriately timed exposure to bright light. In countries situated far from the equator, the biological clock may become seriously disrupted during the short days of the dark season. Characterised by fatigue, sadness and sleep problems, these seasonal affective disorders may be cured or alleviated by means of regular periods outdoors, better lighting indoors, or, in the most serious cases, light therapy.}},
author = {{Küller, Rikard}},
issn = {{1345-3475}},
keywords = {{Fatigue; Circadian Rhythm; Human; Mood Disorders : etiology; Light; Phototherapy; Sleep Disorders : etiology}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{2}},
pages = {{87--91}},
publisher = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
series = {{Journal of Physiological Anthropology Applied Human Science}},
title = {{The influence of light on circarhythms in humans}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.2114/jpa.21.87}},
doi = {{10.2114/jpa.21.87}},
volume = {{21}},
year = {{2002}},
}