Circadian Rhythms Flashcards
What regulates circadian rhythms?
Circadian rhythms are regulated by Exogenous Zeit Bergs/cues. A 24-hour rhythmic state with sleep being one of the best known.
What external factors affect one’s sleep?
Coffee
What are circadian rhythms?
Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. We have learned to time ourselves by clocks of our own making forgetting the beat of the earth and the beat of the brain.
What are the links between the earth and the brain?
Days, months, and years are marked by natural peaks and dips, moments of alertness and energy, and moments of sluggishness and exhaustion.
Rhythms of the earth are closely linked to the rhythms of the brain
90 min flashes of recurring sleep appear like waves on a beach.
Explain Michel Siffre’s Cave Study
(Cave Study 1972)
Siffre spent a lengthy period underground to test his circadian rhythm. Researchers were able to test his body to see how his circadian rhythm was affected by being underground for such long a long period of time.
Conditions:
Decided when he slept and when he ate
Lights were turned on when he woke and off when he slept
Was wired up to allow researchers to record how his body coped
The study found that his circadian rhythm was inconsistent to begin with and eventually settled to around 25-30 hours. After 179 days (about 6 months) Siffre emerged and had believed that only 151 days (about 5 months) had passed.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the cave study 1972?
Strength of the study
Helped us to understand circadian rhythms
Weakness of the study
Because it was a case study it makes the findings difficult to generalize
