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Zeitgeber Signal

Meaning

A Zeitgeber Signal is an external, environmental cue that acts as a powerful synchronizer, actively resetting or aligning the body’s endogenous biological rhythms, particularly the central circadian clock, to the precise 24-hour solar day. The single most powerful and clinically relevant zeitgeber is light exposure, but other significant cues include fixed mealtimes, regular physical activity, and predictable social interaction. Proper reception and processing of these signals are absolutely essential for maintaining internal biological timing and preventing metabolic, sleep, and mood disorders. The term is a foundational cornerstone of chronobiology.