Offspring Magazine #3-06 - Effect of Sunlight and Sleep on our Circadian Rhythm - ft. Prof. Satchin Panda
In this episode, Bea talks to Professor Satchin Panda, from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, about circadian rhythm and its connection to light and sleep.
Satchin gives an introduction to circadian rhythm, a mechanism that allows us to stay at our optimal physical and intellectual health during the day, as well as to repair and rejuvenate in the night. He emphasises the numerous health problems, short- and long-term, that can be caused by disrupting one’s circadian rhythm but also highlights the ways, in which we can take control back.
Satchin talks about the role of light, specifically bright blue light, in resetting the circadian rhythm and the discovery of melanopsin, retina sensor that sends the information about the light to a master clock in our brain. Bea and Satchin also discuss how red light might help us to fall asleep, why the role of melatonin in sleep seems to be overestimated, and the role of “sleep debt” in our lives.
If you would like to know more about Prof. Panda’s research, check out his lab’s page here: https://panda.salk.edu/. You can also follow Prof. Panda on twitter: @SatchinPanda and Instagram: satchin.panda.
To better understand your circadian rhythm, check out Prof. Panda’s page: https://mycircadianclock.org or download the app “mycircadianclock”
You can purchase Prof. Panda’s books “The Circadian Code” and “The Circadian Diabetes Code” here: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Satchin-Panda-PhD/dp/163565243X
Episode Art: Photo by Benjamin Voros (@vorosbenisop) on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/)
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Intro - Outro music composed by Srinath Ramkumar: https://twitter.com/srinathramkumar
Pre-Intro jingle composed by Gustavo Carrizo: https://www.instagram.com/carrizo.gus
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