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Environmental Entrainment

Meaning

Environmental Entrainment is the biological process by which an organism’s internal circadian clock is synchronized to external periodic cues, known as zeitgebers, in the surrounding environment. This synchronization is crucial for maintaining the precise 24-hour rhythmicity necessary for optimal hormonal secretion and metabolic function. The most potent zeitgeber is the light-dark cycle, but other factors like meal timing, social interaction, and exercise also contribute to this rhythmic adjustment. Effective entrainment ensures that physiological processes occur at the biologically appropriate time of day. Disrupted entrainment is a core driver of circadian misalignment.