PSYCHOLOGY OF EMOTIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -In the brain, a small group of hypothalamic nerve cells, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), functions as a master circadian pacemaker controlling the timing of the sleep-wake cycle and coordinating this with circadian rhythms in other brain areas and other tissues to enhance behavioral adaptation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Your body’s internal clock is controlled by an area of the brain called the SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus). The SCN is located in the hypothalamus. The SCN is sensitive to signals of dark and light.

Detailed explanation-3: -Melatonin-a hormone released by the pineal gland-helps you feel sleepy once the lights go down. The peaks and valleys of melatonin (represented as the gold line above) are important for matching the body’s circadian rhythm to the external cycle of light and darkness.

Detailed explanation-4: -The suprachiasmatic nucleus, via an inhibitory projection to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, controls the sympathetic output to the pineal gland that is responsible for melatonin secretion. This pathway is responsible for the peak of melatonin secretion during darkness.