Notes
These are some things I learned from the book Circadian Rhythms: A Very Short Introduction by Russell Foster and Leon Kreitzman:
- While mammals only have photoreceptor (light-detecting) cells in their eyes, other vertebrates also have photoreceptors elsewhere, such as in the pineal gland – sufficient light can penetrate through the tissues to reach it. Many invertebrates are translucent and have photoreceptors in many parts of their bodies.
- Technically, bears don’t hibernate. Instead, they just experience ‘winter lethargy’. There are other animals that go into true hibernation, with much greater decreases in heart rate.
- A chart in chapter 2 shows average changes across the day for adult humans. For example, 10-12 in the morning is (on average) the best time for logical reasoning, and 3:30 in the afternoon is when reaction times are fastest.
Reflections
The detail in the chart in chapter 2 leads me to wonder just how much benefit we could gain from strictly aligning activity to ideal circadian patterns.
Category: Notes and Reflections