Genetics of natural short sleepers studied by scientists

Scientists are investigating a rare group of individuals known as ‘natural short sleepers’ who require only four to six hours of sleep to feel fully rested without the negative effects of sleep deprivation. Unlike most adults, who the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends should sleep at least seven hours, these individuals do not rely on caffeine and maintain consistent sleep patterns even during holidays.

Research led by Ying-Hui Fu at the University of California, San Francisco, has identified approximately 50 families with genetic variations linked to this reduced need for rest. Specifically, a rare mutation in the ADRB1 gene, which regulates sleep and wakefulness, has been observed in these cases.

Experts warn that many people mistakenly believe they have adapted to less sleep due to lifestyle obligations. Elizabeth B. Klerman, a neurology professor at Harvard Medical School, notes that individuals are often poor at estimating their actual sleep needs, and studies suggest many young adults suffer from accumulated sleep deficits due to restrictive daily schedules.