What's Different Between Chronotype and Cicadian Rhythm?

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If you were on a desert island with nothing to wake up for, no other people around, what time would you ideally like to go to bed? And that will get you pretty close to what type of chronotype you are. Now it's important to understand the difference between chronotype and your cicadian rhythm. Your chronotype determines where the peak of your daytime alertness will arrive. This is what's different from one chronotype to the next, where you sit in terms of your 24 hour cicadian rhythms.

Episode 04: Chronotype: Part 1

Summary

Are you a morning type? Or are you an evening type? Perhaps you are neither of the two? Today’s episode is the first in a three-part series all about your chronotype, or your body’s natural biological preference to be awake and be asleep at a certain time.

Matt begins by explaining exactly what your chronotype is, then breaks down the three main “flavors” of chronotype (morning lark, night owl, or somewhere in-between). In addition, and listed in the show notes, below, he explains how to determine whether you are a night owl or a morning lark.

He will also describe how an individual’s sex falls into the equation and the difference between your chronotype and your circadian rhythm.

You’ll hear about the key ways in which evening types biologically differ from morning types, that your chronotype isn’t your own choice nor is it your own fault, but rather, there is a very strong genetic basis of why and how you are programmed in terms of being a morning or an evening type?

Today’s main takeaway is that when you or when society tries to force you to sleep in opposition to your biology, there can be unfortunate consequences. Stay tuned as we explore these in greater detail next time.

The episode is sponsored by the wonderful folks over at Athletic Greens, who are providing a discount and free product if you use the link above. Athletic Greens is a comprehensive daily nutritional beverage containing 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients, including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic.

So, head on over to Athletic Greens www.athleticgreens.com/mattwalker and get a free year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs today. Finally, if you have thoughts or feedback you’d like to share, please reach out on Instagram @drmattwalker.

Basic Resources

Discover your chronotype: AutoMEQ: Automated Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (AutoMEQ)

Scientific Review: Biological Rhythm and Chronotype

Scientific Review: Chronotype and Mental Health: Recent Advances