The Quantum Biology Collective Podcast

172: Circadian Foundations: Lux, Infrared & Light Timing with Sarah Kleiner

10 snips
Mar 12, 2026
Guest
Sarah Kleiner
Sarah Kleiner, founder of Sarah Kleiner Wellness and creator of MyCircadianApp, board certified in Applied Quantum Biology, breaks down how daily light timing shapes metabolism and sleep. She explains why lux (brightness) matters more than just blue light. Practical tips include morning and daytime outdoor light sessions, infrared for mitochondrial support, and strategies to mitigate indoor LED exposure.
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INSIGHT

Lux Is A Primary Circadian Signal

  • Lux (brightness) is a foundational circadian signal that affects every cell, not just blue light blocking.
  • Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells integrate brightness and can keep signaling for 2–3 hours after exposure, delaying sleep onset.
ADVICE

Get Morning Brightness To Support Metabolism

  • Do get morning brightness (ideally outdoor) to kick mitochondria and metabolic rhythms; delayed morning light correlates with higher BMI.
  • A study showed every hour morning light is delayed increases BMI by ~1 point and a ~500 lux threshold mattered.
ADVICE

Track Cumulative Lux With A Metered Session

  • Use a lux meter (MyCircadianApp) to measure and log cumulative lux sessions throughout the day to build circadian amplitude.
  • The app times sessions, shows how long to reach 10,000 lux equivalent, and sums daily lux as a gamified target.
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