Essentials: Timing Light for Better Sleep, Energy & Mood | Dr. Samer Hattar

In this episode of Huberman Lab Essentials, Andrew Huberman interviews Dr. Samer Hattar about the profound impact of light on various aspects of health, including mood, learning, hunger, and sleep. Dr. Hattar explains how light regulates the circadian clock through specialized photoreceptors in the eyes, independent of conscious vision, and emphasizes the importance of regular light exposure, particularly sunlight in the morning, for synchronizing the body's internal rhythms with the external environment. They discuss the implications of disrupting this light-dark cycle, such as experiencing jet lag without traveling, and the direct effects of light on mood regulation via distinct brain regions. The conversation also covers practical strategies for optimizing light exposure throughout the day, the influence of meal timing, and the surprising impact of daylight saving time on our well-being.