Sleep is a fundamental human need. Experts have explored everything from tools to fall asleep quickly to the best bedtime strategies. While conventional wisdom holds that more sleep is better for health, a recent study suggests that sleeping “less” can sometimes be beneficial.
Short sleepers. Scientific American recently highlighted that the recommendation to sleep 7 to 9 hours a night stems from research linking sleep deprivation to health issues like memory loss, heart disease, weakened immunity, and dementia.
But not everyone fits this mold. A small group of individuals, known as “natural short sleepers,” need only 4 to 6 hours of sleep to remain healthy and energetic. Their genetic predisposition has prompted scientists to reconsider traditional views of sleep as a universal activity.
Genetics is key. Research led by University of California scientists Louis Ptáček and Ying-Hui Fu identified several genetic mutations behind natural short sleep. The first mutation they discovered, in the DEC2 gene, regulates orexin, a hormone that promotes wakefulness. These individuals have higher orexin levels, allowing them to stay active with less sleep.
Subsequent research revealed mutations in other genes, including ADRB1, which regulates sleep in the brain stem, and NPSR1, which affects the sleep-wake cycle. These mutations not only reduce the need for sleep but also protect against typical sleep deprivation effects, such as impaired memory. Experiments with genetically modified mice showed that these animals slept less yet maintained normal cognitive function, suggesting their brains consolidate memories and remove toxins more efficiently during sleep.
Unique benefits. Natural short sleepers enjoy unique advantages. Studies suggest they tend to be more energetic, stress-resistant, optimistic, and tolerant of pain.
Preliminary research also indicates that they may live longer, benefiting from efficient metabolic and brain-cleansing processes that reduce toxic protein buildup associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Rethinking sleep. The discovery of natural short sleepers challenges traditional sleep models, which rely on two processes: the circadian rhythm, regulating sleep-wake cycles through light, and sleep homeostasis, which builds pressure to sleep after wakefulness. Researchers propose a third factor, “behavioral impulsivity,” that drives these individuals to remain active despite limited rest.
Neurologist Phyllis Zee suggests their sleep efficiency may stem from prolonged deep sleep stages (slow waves), accelerated brain metabolism, or enhanced waste-clearing mechanisms. These hypotheses offer new insights into optimizing sleep.
Future applications. Recognizing this group’s existence has major implications for sleep medicine and public health. Studying the biological mechanisms behind natural short sleep could lead to better treatments for sleep disorders and ways to improve sleep quality for the general population.
Not just that. Recent experiments have shown that acoustic stimuli, such as “pink noise,” enhance deep sleep slow waves, improving memory and cognitive recovery without requiring more rest.
While researchers continue exploring how these genetic mutations make sleep more efficient, their work may redefine rest formulas. Scientists like Ptáček and Fu are measuring brain activity and examining adaptations that could protect against sleep-related diseases. The findings may one day revolutionize how we approach sleep itself.
Image | Михаил Калегин (Unsplash)
View 0 comments