The article discusses the phenomenon of 'natural short sleepers,' individuals who thrive on just four hours of sleep nightly. While this amount of sleep typically negatively impacts most people's health, genetic mutations, including SIK3-N783Y, enable some to function optimally. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, have identified several genes associated with this ability, which could inform therapeutic strategies to enhance sleep efficiency. The implications of this research may deepen our understanding of sleep's essential role in health and well-being.
For a very small group of people, four hours of sleep per night is perfectly adequate to keep their bodies and minds functioning properly.
The term to describe this phenomenon is 'natural short sleepers,' and scientists have discovered several genes that can result in it.
In a study published in PNAS, scientists identified the SIK3-N783Y mutation, linked to reduced sleep duration in both humans and mice.
Ying-Hui Fu emphasizes that short sleepers can perform bodily functions at a higher level than those who require more sleep.
Collection
[
|
...
]