non24tunnin

Non24tunnin is a term used to describe a biological phenomenon where an individual's internal biological clock, or circadian rhythm, is not synchronized with the standard 24-hour day-night cycle. This misalignment can lead to significant sleep disturbances and difficulties in functioning within a typical societal schedule. In essence, a person with non24tunnin experiences their sleep-wake cycle drifting later each day, much like a jet lag that never resolves.

The primary cause of non24tunnin is often a lack of sufficient light exposure at critical times of the day. Light is the most potent zeitgeber, or time-giver, for the human circadian system. Without strong, regular light cues from the environment, the internal clock defaults to its intrinsic period, which for most humans is slightly longer than 24 hours. This is why non24tunnin is more commonly observed in individuals who are blind or have severely impaired vision, as they may not receive adequate light signals to entrain their clocks to the external environment.

Symptoms of non24tunnin include chronic insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and significant disruption to social, occupational, and academic functioning. Individuals may experience periods of sleeping normally for a few days, followed by weeks of sleeping at significantly different times, making it challenging to maintain consistent routines. Treatment often involves carefully timed light therapy, melatonin supplementation, and behavioral strategies aimed at reinforcing the 24-hour cycle.