REVIEW article
Front. Sleep
Sec. Precision Sleep Medicine
Volume 4 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/frsle.2025.1544945
This article is part of the Research TopicReviews in Sleep: 2024View all 3 articles
Circadian rhythms revealed: Unravelling the genetic, physiological, and behavioural tapestry of the human biological clock and rhythms
Provisionally accepted
- 1University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- 2University of Quebec in Outaouais, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
- 3Institut du Savoir Montfort (ISM), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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This narrative review explores the intricate relationship between biological rhythms and the natural cycles of light and darkness, known as circadian rhythms. This review begins with an examination of empirical evidence dating back to 1729, which indicates that a particular plant displayed rhythmic behaviour even in complete darkness. It then considers the evolution and significance of internal biological clocks in humans. The pivotal role of circadian rhythms in regulating physiological processes (e.g., sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and hormone levels) emphasizing their influence on overall health and well-being is discussed. This review also highlights the critical importance of maintaining circadian timing alignment with the environment, as desynchronization can lead to a range of adverse outcomes, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychological disorders. By integrating the genetic, physiological, and behavioural mechanisms underlying and associated with biological clocks and rhythms in humans, this review aims to provide clinicians and researchers with a comprehensive perspective on the holistic nature of biological rhythms and their implications for health. Furthermore, the concepts associated with chronointervention, such as chrononutrition and chronomedicine, are introduced as promising approaches to optimizing health outcomes by aligning interventions with the body's natural rhythms are introduced. Through this consideration, this review seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of chronobiology and its potential applications in improving human health and performance.
Keywords: Genetics, Physiology, behaviour, Human biological rhythms, Circadian clock, chronobiology, Chronointervention, Chrononutrition
Received: 13 Dec 2024; Accepted: 06 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Morin, Forest and Imbeault. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Renée Morin, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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