The Circadian Rhythm is the actual biological rhythm that all living organisms follow, which varies from species to species, and are usually affected by sunlight and temperature. They usually determine an organisms eating and sleeping cycles. Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder is a term that is used to refer to a whole class of sleep disorders, and it is not as “black and white” as other sleeping problems.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep disorders are related to the timing of sleep cycle in a 24-hour per day. Some times these disorders are influenced by aspects of the individual’s life such shift work or jet lag; while others may have some neurological triggers, such as unbalanced sleep-wake pattern, mental disorders and/or advanced sleep phase syndrome.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder is marked by an unrelenting or recurring pattern of disturbance in the body’s normal sleep cycle. This creates insomnia or extreme sleepiness, which is caused by a mismatching of the body’s usual sleep/wake cycle.

Those with normal Circadian rhythms can wake up in the morning in time to get to work, or they can control their sleep/wake time and get up at a time of their choosing. In humans when Circadian rhythms go askew disorders in sleep can develop. One example would be that an individual may need to sleep at 3pm and wake up at midnight, instead of a more normal sleep/wake time.

This can cause problems in the individual’s daily life, and cause stress in terms of functioning in social, financial, family and work settings. This ailment is not usually caused solely by mental health issues, substance abuse or side affects from medications. It will usually occur because of a real issue with the body’s Circadian Rhythm.

Some individuals can reset their Circadian Rhythms overtime, while others require other treatments, which can include both behavioral and drug treatments. These treatments may include Chronotherapy, which involves the daily readjustments of sleep wake time; bright light therapy which means that the individual sits in front of a light box everyday to delay the sleep time; and enhancing environmental cues, which means that the individual sleeps in a very dark room and then wakes in a brightly lit one.

These are all “designed to realign” the sleep/wake cycle. Lifestyle alterations are also encouraged. For instance a shift worker may return to a normal work cycle after working the night shift in order to adjust their body’s natural rhythms.

• Treatments are available

• May cause sleep deprivation for some
• Can cause impaired cognitive and physical functioning

Clearly, Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders are very serious and can cause many frustrating and lifestyle altering issues, as well as causing the sufferer to have severe sleep deprivation. However, not everyone who experiences a problem in his or her sleep/wake cycle has this disorder, because it is actually very rare. Some consumers have achieved excellent results in realigning this cycle through the use of Melatonin, which is already naturally generated in the human body, and which plays a huge role in regulating the sleep/wake cycle.

Melatonin has been shown to decrease as we age, which can also throw the body clock off and cause sleep issues. However, holistically based supplementation with Melatonin, has been shown to be an effective method of returning Circadian Rhythms back to normal, thereby restoring a natural and deep sleep. We often suggest consumers who are experiencing sleep issues seek out products that contain Melatonin for optimal results.