Circadian Health Glossary
Photoperiodism
Photoperiodism refers to how organisms respond biologically to variations in daylight. This seasonal adjustment is vital for plants and animals to adapt their behavior and physiology according to the duration of day and night.
How Does It Connect to Circadian Health?
While photoperiodism is not directly involved in humans, it highlights the importance of light for regulating our circadian rhythm. Seasonal changes in daylight hours can disrupt this rhythm, contributing to sleep problems like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
How Is the Theory of Photoperiodism Applied to Light Therapy?
Light therapy is a treatment for circadian health issues that uses specific wavelengths of light to mimic natural sunlight. This helps regulate the circadian rhythm, improving sleep patterns and overall well-being, especially when natural daylight exposure is limited.
Photoperiodism demonstrates how light, a key factor in seasonal changes, influences our internal biological clock. Light therapy leverages this knowledge to adjust this clock for optimal circadian health.