How Much Sleep? It May Be in Your Genes

I know a young woman who goes to work at four in the morning; she has a job with flex time and likes getting out by noon so she has time to spend with her young children. Here’s the thing: she generally goes to bed between 11 p.m. and midnight. She needs only four to five hours of sleep. Her dad is the same way. Not tired, not dragging—that’s all they need. It seems it may be their genes that are responsible.

In a recent study, researchers identified a mutation in a gene called grams protein-coupled neuropeptide S receptor one (NPSR1), a mutation that’s associated with a naturally short sleep phenotype in humans. This mutation is rare, but it does exist. One of the purposes of this type of research is to see if there’s a drug that could stimulate or inhibit the target gene to help others get by with less sleep. That’s decades away, if it can be done at all without raising more problems.

For all the rest of us, we need as much sleep as we need. We may not be able to get it every night, but it’s part of a healthy lifestyle. Getting enough sleep is something we all should try to do to be healthier.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: Sci Trans Med. 2019: DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax2014.