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Melatonin Phase Response

Meaning

Melatonin Phase Response describes the time-dependent change, or phase shift, in the body’s circadian rhythm that occurs following exposure to an external stimulus, most notably light or exogenous melatonin. The magnitude and direction of this shift are governed by the Phase Response Curve (PRC), which dictates that stimuli given during the early biological night cause a phase delay, while those given during the late biological night or early morning cause a phase advance. Understanding this response is fundamental to correcting circadian misalignment, such as jet lag or delayed sleep phase disorder.