Some people have a superpower: they can have a repairing sleep and wake up fresh after sleeping only 4 hours. In a new study, a team of scientists has identified the mutation behind this rare capacity.
For most of us, a good night of sleep means 7 to 9 hours of rest. But for a rare group of people, only four hours is more than enough, and they wake up feeling alert, rested and full of energy.
Scientists now believe that these “Super sleepyThey owe their unique sleep pattern to a rare genetic mutation.
In a new study, a team of researchers from the China Academy of Sciences, identified a MUTATION CALLED SIK3-N783Y in a person who consistently felt resting after unusual nights short.
According to, to better understand its effects, the team introduced this rats mutation – And surprisingly, the modified rats also They needed less sleep: they slept 30 to 54 minutes less than normal rats, even after being deprived of sleep.
The bodies of the alleged “super sleepers”, which seem to sleep more efficiently than an average person, seem to complete the essential functions of sleep, including repair, and memory consolidation, in one shorter time.
What makes this especially convincing is that these individuals do not suffer Typical effects of sleep deprivation: No memory problems, slowness or high risks of heart disease and diabetes.
In fact, the “super sleepy” Frequently feel worse sleep more than your usual 4-6 hourswhich suggests that your sleep cycles are optimized for this sleep period.
Although sleep needs may vary according to age and individual, most adults depends on a longer rest to feel alert and healthy.
The scientific community has had difficulty in relation to How long we need to sleep “But there may not be a unique answer to everyone.”
This is why understanding what is Behind the superpower Of people who do not need to sleep could have great implications for the treatment of sleep disorders and improving sleep efficiency for all.
So far, scientists have identified at least five genes linked to short sleep patterns, and Sik3 is one of the most promising. Researchers believe this could become a target for new sleep therapies That help people get restorative sleep benefits in less time.
The results of the were presented in an article published last week in the magazine PNAS.
