Dr. Samer Hattar: Timing Your Light, Food, & Exercise for Optimal Sleep, Energy & Mood

This podcast episode explores the concept of the circadian clock and its relevance to survival and overall health. It emphasizes the importance of morning sunlight exposure in regulating circadian rhythms and setting the body's internal clock. The episode highlights the complex relationship between light, mood, and learning, revealing that light has direct effects on these factors independent of its effects on sleep-wake cycles. The tripartite model is introduced, which suggests that light affects the body through the circadian clock, the homeostatic drive, and direct environmental input. The episode also discusses the importance of regulating mealtimes and light exposure for managing hunger, weight loss, and overall physiological function. It highlights the interconnectedness of light, food, and sleep, emphasizing the need to consider all three factors together. The episode concludes by discussing the impact of light on social rhythm, jet lag, and seasonality, as well as potential genetic variations in light sensitivity and sensitivity to spicy food.