Articles in: Circadian Medicine

According to Ayurveda, a lifestyle in rhythm with nature’s cycles is the foundation for optimal health, spirituality and longevity. Today, this is an exciting new branch of science predicted to revolutionize western medicine, referred to as “Circadian Medicine.” In this section, you’ll find articles that will teach you what activities can disrupt your circadian rhythms as well as how to reset a healthy lifestyle and offset the potential risks from an unhealthy lifestyle.

Ayurveda for a Healthy Family (NEW eBook + Podcast!)

by John Douillard on August 13, 2018 | 3 Comments

A growing number of studies are being published on the health and longevity benefits of resetting your circadian clock. According to one study, “Resetting the circadian clock leads to well-being and increased life span, whereas clock disruption is associated with aging and sickness. Increased longevity and improved health can be achieved by different feeding regimens […]

The Cumulative Benefits of Sleeping in a Cold Room

by John Douillard on July 7, 2018 | 5 Comments

Our hunter-gatherer ancestors slept mostly in caves that were cool, chilly, and cold as the seasons changed. Caves, which were common sleeping quarters, rarely, if ever, get hot. Is it possible that we have genetically evolved to thrive when we sleep in a cold room versus a warm or hot room? This bit of ancient […]

Could Melatonin Be Ojas? Ayurveda’s Molecule for Perfect Health

by John Douillard on April 26, 2018 | 18 Comments

According to Ayurveda, there is one sacred substance in the body that governs aging, immunity, radiant skin, vigor, mood, sleep, digestion, spirituality, and physical strength. In Sanskrit, ojas (OH-jas) has two prominent meanings. In the context of physical health and vitality, ojas means “vigor.” In the context of spiritual and emotional well-being, it is referred […]

5 Reasons Morning Exercise is Better than Evening Exercise

by John Douillard on March 10, 2018 | 6 Comments

Ayurveda considers the morning to be the best time to exercise, but many find the thought of waking up early to workout exhausting in itself. Traditionally, farmers would wake up very early and do most of their physical labor in the cool morning hours, before it got too hot. In Ayurveda, the first four hours […]

Episode 53: Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life – An Interview with Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar

by John Douillard on February 5, 2018 | 20 Comments

Watch the Podcast: Download the Podcast: Air Date: February 5, 2018 Playtime: 61 minutes Link: Download mp3 (right-click here and select ‘save’) Listen: Subscribe: via iTunes | via RSS feed | via Email Newsletter Recommended Reading: Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life: How to Harness the Power of Clock Genes to Lose Weight, Optimize Your […]

Ayurvedic Daily Routine (Dinacharya)

by John Douillard on February 5, 2018 | 27 Comments

The most recent Circadian Medicine research suggests that human genes have lost the ability to perceive and stay in tune with the circadian rhythms of nature. (1-3) In our high-tech, fast-paced world with endless distraction and entertainment, more and more of us are becoming disconnected. Circadian disruptors like jet-lag, artificial and blue light, shift/night work […]

Rejuvenate, Don’t Sedate: Herbs for Sleep

by John Douillard on January 13, 2018 | 12 Comments

The most widely accepted theory relating to sleep issues is that being too stressed, wound-up, or wired makes it difficult to settle down and get to sleep. This type of sleep-inhibiting stress is commonly associated with high cortisol levels in the evening which, normally, should be winding down as the sun sets. The logical solution […]

Which is Best for YOU? Time Release Melatonin vs. Immediate Release Melatonin

by John Douillard on November 30, 2017 | 8 Comments

Since the 1970s, researchers have been fascinated by melatonin because of its far-reaching benefits throughout the human body. Since then, melatonin supplementation has been pigeon-holed for sleep concerns and jet-lag, but volumes of new circadian medicine research has found strong links between melatonin and the health of the microbiome, immunity, bone, heart, joint, prostate, breast, […]

Nobel Prize-Winning Research Validates Ayurvedic Circadian Clock

by John Douillard on November 9, 2017 | 9 Comments

Many years ago, I wrote about a piece from the Scientific American magazine, where we were introduced to the term “Circadian Medicine.” They stated that circadian medicine would “revolutionize medicine as we know it,” and now we have 3 American researchers who won the Nobel Prize for their research on circadian medicine. Circadian medicine fascinates […]

How to Increase REM Sleep for a Sharper Mind

by John Douillard on October 7, 2017 | 7 Comments

A new study has linked dreaming during Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM) to long-term cognitive health as we age. REM sleep is one of five phases that the mammalian brain experiences during sleep. The other four phases are referred to as non-REM (NREM) sleep. The five phases occur in intervals throughout the night. During REM, […]

Harness the Power of Darkness: 3 Keys to Raising Children in the Modern Age

by John Douillard on September 30, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Remember the popular children’s tune, “Toe bone connected to the foot bone, Foot bone connected to the heel bone, Heel bone connected to the ankle bone…” and so on. Of course, in med school, one learns that things are a bit more complicated, but the message still holds strong: Everything in the body is connected. […]

Sextember: The Mating Month

by John Douillard on September 23, 2017 | 2 Comments

September is the month that fruits and vegetables are the most bountiful. Farmers are harvesting all of the goodies from the crops and delivering them to the locations where they are used or sold, preparing for the down season and for the cold air that is slowly creeping in. If we ate only from the […]

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