Rational Wellness Podcast How Circadian Rhythms Influence Sleep, Hormones & Bio-Timing with Dr. Corey Schuler: RWP Episode 10
Feb 7, 2026
Dr. Corey Schuler, a holistic family nurse practitioner and integrative medicine expert, explains how the brain's central clock and peripheral clocks coordinate sleep, metabolism, and gene expression. He explores how modern light, caffeine, and irregular schedules disrupt natural rhythms. He also covers meal timing, melatonin use, stress and HPA axis effects, and the microbiome's daily cycles.
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Central And Peripheral Clocks Coordinate Timing
- The body has a central clock in the SCN and peripheral clocks in nearly every cell that coordinate physiology.
- Light primarily entrains the central clock while nutrient timing strongly influences peripheral clocks.
Personal Example Of Modern Rhythm Disruption
- Corey describes late-night work, TV, and global meetings as modern drivers that unentrain circadian rhythms.
- He notes technology lets us work at any hour, but our biology hasn't adapted, causing rhythm disruption.
Keep Wake Time Consistent
- Wake and sleep times should be consistent because abrupt shifts in waking disrupt circadian rhythm.
- Prioritize a relatively sacred waking time rather than changing wake time frequently.