Science behind ChillScreen

ChillScreen is informed by published research on human circadian rhythms, melatonin timing, the cortisol awakening response, and the effects of evening light exposure on melatonin.

This research guides the biological rhythms shown in ChillScreen and how warmth and dimming are applied throughout the day.

1. Cox RC et al. Distribution of dim light melatonin offset and phase relationship to waketime in healthy adults. Sleep Health, 2024. Full text · PubMed
2. Burgess HJ et al. The relationship between the dim light melatonin onset and sleep on a regular schedule in young healthy adults. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 2003. PubMed
3. Burgess HJ, Fogg LF. Individual differences in the amount and timing of salivary melatonin secretion. PLoS One, 2008. PubMed
4. Gooley JJ et al. Exposure to room light before bedtime suppresses melatonin onset and shortens melatonin duration in humans. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2011. Full text · PubMed
5. Wehr TA, Aeschbach D, Duncan WC. Evidence for a biological dawn and dusk in the human circadian timing system. Journal of Physiology, 2001. Full text
6. Debono M et al. Modified-release hydrocortisone to provide circadian cortisol profiles. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2009. Full text
7. Stalder T et al. Cortisol Awakening Response: Regulation and Functional Significance. Endocrine Reviews, 2025. Full text
8. Stalder T et al. Evaluation and update of the expert consensus guidelines for the assessment of the cortisol awakening response. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2022. Article · Author manuscript
9. Bowles NP et al. The circadian system modulates the cortisol awakening response in humans. 2022. PubMed
10. Reiter AM et al. Finding DLMO: estimating dim light melatonin onset from sleep markers derived from questionnaires, diaries and actigraphy. 2020. PubMed