logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2015
48m 4s

Circadian Rhythms

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the evolution and role of Circadian Rhythms, the so-called body clock that influences an organism's daily cycle of physical, behavioural and mental changes. The rhythms are generated within organisms and also in response to external stimuli, mainly light and darkness. They are found throughout the living world, from bacteria to plants, fungi to animals and, in humans, are noticed most clearly in sleep patterns.

With

Russell Foster Professor of Circadian Neuroscience at the University of Oxford

Debra Skene Professor of Neuroendocrinology at the University of Surrey

And

Steve Jones Emeritus Professor of Genetics at University College London.

Up next
Aug 20
Archive: Hatshepsut
Misha Glenny delves in to the In Our Time archive to select ten episodes for listeners to revisit. His third choice, first released in November 2014, is the Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut, whose name means 'foremost of noble ladies'. She ruled Egypt from about 1479 - 1458 BC and som ... Show More
47m 58s
Aug 13
Archive: Coffee
Misha Glenny delves in to the In Our Time archive to select ten episodes for listeners to revisit. His second choice, first released in December 2019, is the history and social impact of coffee. From its origins in Ethiopia, coffea arabica spread through the Ottoman Empire before ... Show More
56m 52s
Aug 7
Pockets (from Here For The History)
To the frustration of many, a lot of women’s clothes don’t have pockets. But why on Earth is that the case? Especially when men’s clothing seems to be full of pockets.On Here For The History, Alice Loxton and Ben Henderson track the tumultuous and muddy history of women’s pockets ... Show More
37m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2022
How to make your body clock work for you
In today’s world, we increasingly live our lives late into the night. Whether it's work obligations, socializing, or being glued to a screen, we ignore the sun's rise and fall. But most of us are unaware that a clock is ticking away inside us. It uses light to keep time and tells ... Show More
38m 38s
Sep 2023
#495: Circadian Clocks in Muscle & Exercise as a Time Cue – Prof. Karyn Esser
tail spinning
35m 27s
May 2020
Understanding Circadian Rhythms
You think jet lag throws off your biological clock—makes you feel dazed and confused? Well, living under the constant disruption of a quarantine can be even worse. If you want to stay truly calm, you need to align your sleep and waking cycles with the circadian rhythms of nature. ... Show More
6m 42s
Jun 2024
Moment 168: STOP Doing THIS! It's Hurting Your Sleep!: The Fitness Scientist
You might have heard the phrase ‘circadian rhythm’ a lot but never really understood what it meant. In this moment, world-renowned human performance expert, Kristen Holmes gives a simple break down of this rhythm and its massive impacts. Kirsten says that the circadian rhythm is ... Show More
13m 45s
Nov 2023
Can you change your sleep schedule? | Alexandra Panzer
An early bird rises with the sun, springing out of bed abuzz with energy. Meanwhile, a night owl groggily rises much later, not hitting their stride until late in the day. How many people are truly night owls or early birds? And are our sleep schedules predetermined at birth, or ... Show More
10m 52s
Feb 2025
Why daylight is the secret to great sleep | Christine Blume
Does the type and amount of light you’re exposed to during the day change how well you sleep at night? Diving into the effects of daylight on your internal biological clock, sleep scientist Christine Blume shares practical tips for making natural light part of your daily routine ... Show More
10m 3s
Dec 2024
How to Sync Up Your Biological Clock for Better Health, Sleep, Mood & Performance | Lynne Peeples
<p>Are you constantly feeling tired, unfocused, and out of sync? Discover the hidden power of your body's inner clock in this fascinating discussion with Lynne Peeples, author of <a href="https://amzn.to/3Casz9X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>The Inner Clock: Livi ... Show More
56m 18s
Aug 2025
Interview: Why daylight is the secret to great sleep | Christine Blume
Does the type and amount of light you’re exposed to during the day change how well you sleep at night? Diving into the effects of daylight on your internal biological clock, sleep scientist Christine Blume shares practical tips for making natural light part of your daily routine ... Show More
31m 21s