Ed Harrold Life With Breath Podcast Life With Breath Podcast with Guest Zaid K Dahhaj, Circadian Optimization Coach
Feb 21, 2025
47:49
In this episode, host Ed Harrold and guest Zaid K Dahhaj delve into the fascinating world of circadian biology and its profound impact on human health. Ed begins with a guided meditation, setting a reflective tone. Zaid explains how light, especially sunlight, influences bodily functions like sleep, hormone regulation, and overall well-being. They discuss the roles of cortisol and melatonin, the benefits of morning sunlight, and the differences between natural and artificial light. Emphasizing the importance of aligning with natural circadian rhythms, they offer practical tips for enhancing health, vitality, and longevity through mindful light exposure and reconnecting with nature.
👉Understanding Sleep and Light (00:05:38)
Zaid explains the relationship between sleep cycles and light exposure, emphasizing their interconnectedness.
👉Circadian Mechanisms and Health (00:06:06)
Zaid elaborates on how circadian genes regulate bodily functions based on environmental cues.
👉Body's Awareness of Seasons (00:07:13)
Ed reflects on how the body intuitively recognizes seasonal changes and their effects.
👉Cortisol and Melatonin Dynamics (00:08:42)
Zaid breaks down the relationship between cortisol and melatonin and their roles in daily rhythms.
👉Morning Light Exposure (00:10:31)
Zaid explains the benefits of morning sunlight on circadian alignment and health.
👉Benefits of Sunlight on Skin (00:15:58)
Zaid discusses the positive effects of sunlight on skin health and overall well-being.
👉Difference Between Natural and Artificial Light (00:19:20)
Zaid highlights the contrasting effects of natural blue light from the sun versus artificial sources.
👉Understanding Circadian Disruption (22:14)
Zaid discusses how modern lifestyles lead to chronic circadian disruption and its health implications.
👉The Role of Green Light (23:46)
Exploration of green light's potential benefits, particularly in reducing headaches and migraines.
👉Historical Context of Sunlight Perception (26:18)
Zaid explains how historical campaigns shifted public perception, making people fear sunlight.
👉Empowerment Through Nature (32:51)
Zaid emphasizes personal responsibility in health and the power of natural practices.
👉Effects of Artificial Light (38:50)
Discussion on how artificial lighting, particularly LEDs, negatively affects circadian rhythms.
👉Nature vs. Artificial Light (41:20)
Zaid contrasts the perfect lighting from nature with the detrimental effects of man-made light sources.
👉Skin as a Light Sensor (42:40)
Exploration of how skin acts as a second pair of eyes, sensing light for circadian regulation.
👉The Interaction of Light with Skin (00:43:51)
Discussion on how red and infrared light penetrates the skin and affects bodily tissues.
👉The Photoelectric Effect (00:44:50)
Exploration of how sunlight interacts with melanin to create free electrons, boosting energy production.
👉Enhancing Mitochondrial Function (00:45:13)
Insights on improving the electron transport chain and ATP production through sunlight exposure and grounding.
👉Follow Zaid:
IG @zaidkdahhaj
YouTube @the2ampodcast
X @zaidkdahhaj
Substack @ zaidkdahhaj.substack.com
www.zaidkdahhaj.com
👉"Reflect" on this podcast with SapienCE. SapienCE is a membership that offers unlimited reflective learning opportunities that reward CME/CE credits.
https://sapiencepro.co/edharrold (USE HARROLD20 FOR 20% DISCOUNT)
👉Breath AS Medicine+: Sessions weave together breathwork, mindfulness, nature, psychological & physiological resilience and circadian health into a transformative holistic approach to improving your health and well-being. NEXT SESSION BEGINS APRIL 12TH
👉Breath AS Medicine Pro: An advanced, 8-week instructor masterclass
1. NEXT SESSION FOR FITNESS PROFESSIONALS BEGINS APRIL 2ND
2. NEXT SESSION FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS COACHING BEGINS MAY 28TH
👉Subscribe & Get 20% OFF Substack membership https://edharrold.substack.com/LWB20
Get full access to Ed Harrold Breath AS Medicine at edharrold.substack.com/subscribe
👉Understanding Sleep and Light (00:05:38)
Zaid explains the relationship between sleep cycles and light exposure, emphasizing their interconnectedness.
👉Circadian Mechanisms and Health (00:06:06)
Zaid elaborates on how circadian genes regulate bodily functions based on environmental cues.
👉Body's Awareness of Seasons (00:07:13)
Ed reflects on how the body intuitively recognizes seasonal changes and their effects.
👉Cortisol and Melatonin Dynamics (00:08:42)
Zaid breaks down the relationship between cortisol and melatonin and their roles in daily rhythms.
👉Morning Light Exposure (00:10:31)
Zaid explains the benefits of morning sunlight on circadian alignment and health.
👉Benefits of Sunlight on Skin (00:15:58)
Zaid discusses the positive effects of sunlight on skin health and overall well-being.
👉Difference Between Natural and Artificial Light (00:19:20)
Zaid highlights the contrasting effects of natural blue light from the sun versus artificial sources.
👉Understanding Circadian Disruption (22:14)
Zaid discusses how modern lifestyles lead to chronic circadian disruption and its health implications.
👉The Role of Green Light (23:46)
Exploration of green light's potential benefits, particularly in reducing headaches and migraines.
👉Historical Context of Sunlight Perception (26:18)
Zaid explains how historical campaigns shifted public perception, making people fear sunlight.
👉Empowerment Through Nature (32:51)
Zaid emphasizes personal responsibility in health and the power of natural practices.
👉Effects of Artificial Light (38:50)
Discussion on how artificial lighting, particularly LEDs, negatively affects circadian rhythms.
👉Nature vs. Artificial Light (41:20)
Zaid contrasts the perfect lighting from nature with the detrimental effects of man-made light sources.
👉Skin as a Light Sensor (42:40)
Exploration of how skin acts as a second pair of eyes, sensing light for circadian regulation.
👉The Interaction of Light with Skin (00:43:51)
Discussion on how red and infrared light penetrates the skin and affects bodily tissues.
👉The Photoelectric Effect (00:44:50)
Exploration of how sunlight interacts with melanin to create free electrons, boosting energy production.
👉Enhancing Mitochondrial Function (00:45:13)
Insights on improving the electron transport chain and ATP production through sunlight exposure and grounding.
👉Follow Zaid:
IG @zaidkdahhaj
YouTube @the2ampodcast
X @zaidkdahhaj
Substack @ zaidkdahhaj.substack.com
www.zaidkdahhaj.com
👉"Reflect" on this podcast with SapienCE. SapienCE is a membership that offers unlimited reflective learning opportunities that reward CME/CE credits.
https://sapiencepro.co/edharrold (USE HARROLD20 FOR 20% DISCOUNT)
👉Breath AS Medicine+: Sessions weave together breathwork, mindfulness, nature, psychological & physiological resilience and circadian health into a transformative holistic approach to improving your health and well-being. NEXT SESSION BEGINS APRIL 12TH
👉Breath AS Medicine Pro: An advanced, 8-week instructor masterclass
1. NEXT SESSION FOR FITNESS PROFESSIONALS BEGINS APRIL 2ND
2. NEXT SESSION FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS COACHING BEGINS MAY 28TH
👉Subscribe & Get 20% OFF Substack membership https://edharrold.substack.com/LWB20
Get full access to Ed Harrold Breath AS Medicine at edharrold.substack.com/subscribe