Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. They respond primarily to light and darkness in an our environment. The high-tech sleep mask uses light-flash technology, developed by researchers at Stanford University in California, to regulate daily circadian rhythm by sending out light pulses to induce sleep. It stimulates light sensitive nerves in the brain that send signals to suppress or produce melatonin, the hormone that controls sleep.
Human biological clocks are synchronized to light-dark changes and regulate multiple physiological processes including patterns of body temperature, brain activity and hormone production. Light influences circadian rhythms. When the sun rises, the brain sends signals to the pineal gland to suppress melatonin production. But when the sun sets, the pineal gland receives signals to secrete melatonin. If the body doesn’t receive these signals the circadian rhythm can be off.
Not receiving the signals can affect sleep, cause anxiety, depression, it can affect changes in glucose levels raising the risk for type 2 diabetes. Sleep technologies have introduced light therapy as a way to help people get better shut-eye. Light therapy is resetting circadian clock.
The Lumos Smart Sleep Mask works by sending millisecond pulses of light similar to that of a camera flash to stimulate nerves in the brain that are sensitive to light, these light pulses can influence the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is a region of the brain that coordinates circadian rhythms using many different signaling molecules. Stimulating this part of the brain properly to get circadian rhythms synced back up can help to reset the sleep-wake clock.