Using light to control brain function and improve general health

This is undoubtedly one of the most underrated interventions for bringing about significant changes in our health and well-being. In an enlightening episode, Dr. Andrew Huberman and Dr. Samer Hattar delve into the effects of light on our bodies, specifically concerning our circadian rhythm, brain function, mood, appetite, and mental health.

The podcast offers practical tools to swiftly adjust to jetlag, shift work, and reset your internal clock after late-night work or social activities. Understanding and implementing the insights from this discussion are essential for achieving optimal health and well-being. It sheds light on a major missing piece that many people tend to overlook, even though it has a profound impact on our lives.

Throughout our evolution, our bodies and biology have evolved in sync with natural sunlight. As a result, any alterations in exposure to light directly affect our biology. For instance, using phones at night without proper filters and dimming settings signals to our circadian clock system that it is daytime, detrimentally affecting our sleep/wake cycle and even mental health. This disrupts the natural production of melatonin, our sleep hormone, which should be at its peak during the night.

In modern society, our disconnection from natural light has become more pronounced due to spending extensive time indoors and exposing ourselves to unnatural nighttime light from technological devices like phones and televisions.

Understanding the crucial significance of light in our lives could prove to be the final piece of the puzzle for those experiencing difficulties with sleep, mood, and mental health. Implementing the insights gained from this podcast can help realign our circadian rhythms and restore the harmony that our bodies seek with natural light exposure.