One of the most important features of our world is the constant cycle of day and night. Due to this cycle we, as humans, experience changes in our behavior and physiology just like any other living creatures. These changes and adaptations are guided by an internal mechanism within our body called the biological clock. It dictates our everyday life - from hormone releases to metabolic changes and cardiovascular activities.
The science studying the biological rhythm is called Chronobiology. Research in this area has been developing over the last 50 years. The field of Chronobiology nowadays is developed enough to allow us to actively modify and improve our biological clocks in order to obtain happier, healthier, and more active lives.
Every cell in our body has its own internal clock. These clocks interconnect with the central biological clock in our body – the Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) – positioned in our brain. The SCN is responsible for the changes in our circadian rhythms, which represent physical, mental, and behavioral adaptations.
Our body clock prompts our body temperature and blood pressure to increase before our usual awakening in the morning. It triggers the release of the “get up and go” hormone (cortisol) which we need in order to start the day. Our body clock keeps us alert and energetic throughout the day, sleepy throughout the night, and hungry when we usually eat. Cell division and bone growth are also regulated by the body clock. A synchronized body clock is of utmost importance to our health, sleep, and general wellbeing.
Research has proven that the most dominant factor in keeping our body clock in sync is light.
After 150 years of research on human eyes, scientists have managed to explain how we are able to see – through two photoreceptors located in our eyes. Those are the rods (black & white vision) and the cones (color vision).
Up until the beginning of the 21st century, the question of how light is able to regulate circadian rhythms of humans has been unanswered.
After conducting clinical studies both in Harvard and Oxford, scientists have showed that, even without rods and cones, humans are able to regulate their biological rhythms. That led to the discovery in 1998 of a new photopigment (melanopsin), located also in the human eye, which is maximally sensitive to blue light and is responsible for the regulations of circadian rhythms.
There are numerous clinical studies conducted to examine the positive effect of blue light on humans for optimizing the human biological rhythm. Arguably some of the most significant studies on the topic have been conducted by Dr. George C. Brainard and his colleagues who have tested more than 70 people in around 700 experiments to evaluate which is the strongest wavelength for melatonin suppression. Their experiments concluded that this is the wavelength from the blue spectrum. Other studies have confirmed their findings about the strong effects of blue light for suppressing melatonin as well as for enhancing alertness and fighting fatigue. Many studies have also shown blue light to be effective for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder and other depression types. Lastly, studies have also shown blue light to improve cognitive performance and sleep quality.
As a result, the growing science on circadian rhythms has confirmed the vital importance of blue light for our overall wellbeing.
Following the latest research in the field of Chronobiology on the positive and safe effects of blue light on humans, we have created an innovative, intelligent and wearable light therapy device. AYO delivers blue light gently to the eye of the user at the best time of the day or night, following the user’s personal preferences and lifestyle. After wearing AYO for as little as 20 minutes per day, the user can start to optimize his internal rhythm for optimum health and performance. With the help of some of the most prominent researchers on Chronobiology in Europe, we are in the process of conducting a clinical study on AYO and its effects.
To learn more about the way AYO works and what it can be used for, please watch the video below.
If you happen to have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@goayo.com. We would be more than happy to talk to you!
