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How common is short sleeper gene?
The “short sleep” gene appears to be rare. Fu estimated that it may be found in only three percent of people. Around one percent of the population are short sleepers, meaning they sleep six hours or less each night, yet still function normally. Symptoms of short sleeper syndrome People with SSS sleep fewer than six hours each night and are still able to function well throughout the day. They can perform well at work or school despite their short sleep duration. Additionally, they don’t feel the need to take naps or sleep more on the weekends. Scientists now believe that sufficient, consistent, and quality sleep may be key to unlocking an increase in global life expectancy. Research shows that those individuals able to successfully reach very old age – the rare centenarians that live to 100 – generally experience optimal sleep across the lifespan.
Is short sleeper syndrome common?
A 2019 study published in the journal Neuron (opens in new tab) also found that a mutation in [the] ADRB1 [gene] leads to natural short sleep trait in humans. The researchers noted that in the human population, this is a rare mutation, with an incidence of 4.028/100,000. Scientists identified a gene that causes people to naturally sleep less than six and a half hours each night without any apparent ill effects. The findings reveal a mechanism affecting quality sleep and suggest an avenue to investigate for new sleep treatments. Natural short sleeping is not an illness or sleep disorder. To date, there are no known health problems related to being a true short sleeper. Multiple factors can cause or contribute to sleep deprivation including poor sleep hygiene, lifestyle choices, work obligations, sleep disorders, and other medical conditions. Sleep deprivation is often driven by voluntary choices that reduce available sleep time. Some People Have a Superhuman Strength: Only Needing 4 Hours of Sleep. These “short sleepers” don’t necessarily do it by choice—they’re genetically programmed to require less shut-eye. Short sleepers are people who do well with about half of the shut-eye that the rest of us require to function.
Is short sleep genetic?
By 2009, the team published their first finding: There was a mutation in the gene DEC2 which caused short sleepers to stay awake longer. Since then, the team has discovered two more genes – an ADRB1 mutation and a NPSR1 mutation – which alter neurotransmitters in the human brain to create short sleep. Short sleepers tend to have the same characteristics: They are energetic, outgoing, optimistic and ambitious, psychiatrist Daniel J. Buysse tells the WSJ. They tend to go to bed after midnight and wake up just a few hours later, and they do not rely on naps or caffeine to get through the day. Short sleepers were found generally to be smooth, efficient persons with a tendency towards handling stress by keeping busy and by denial. Long sleepers were worriers and were chronically somewhat depressed or anxious; they scored higher than the short sleepers on most tests of pathology. A natural short sleeper is an individual who requires less than 8 to 10 hours of sleep per 24 hour period for normal function. Sleep patterns change with age, anxiety levels and many other factors. Normally, younger people have more concentrated periods of deep sleep compared to older people. Short sleepers are a rarity. While most people need around eight hours of sleep to be in tip-top shape, short sleepers need only between four and six hours to function just as well. They don’t need naps or long weekend snoozes to catch up. The cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke.
How do you test for short sleeper gene?
The natural short sleep gene mutations are extremely rare. There is currently no widely available way to test for it. Keep in mind that habitual short sleepers suffer no side effects. But if you’re curious, you should consult your doctor about your sleeping habits. The “short sleep” gene appears to be rare. Fu estimated that it may be found in only three percent of people. A single night of no sleep will not stunt growth. But over the long term, a person’s growth may be affected by not getting the full amount of sleep. That’s because growth hormone is normally released during sleep. A single night of no sleep will not stunt growth. But over the long term, a person’s growth may be affected by not getting the full amount of sleep. That’s because growth hormone is normally released during sleep.
How many people in the world have short sleeper syndrome?
Around one percent of the population are short sleepers, meaning they sleep six hours or less each night, yet still function normally. They feel refreshed and well-rested with a shorter amount of sleep and without the need to catch up on sleep. Most adults need seven or more hours of sleep on a regular basis. For most people, getting less than six hours has a negative impact on health and performance. But a small percentage of adults are short sleepers. They regularly feel alert and refreshed after sleeping less than 6 hours. What’s the secret to happiness? Maybe seven hours of sleep. A recent survey of 2,000 people by mattress company Amerisleep suggests “perfectly happy” people get 7.1 hours of sleep per night. Mostly happy people sleep seven hours and somewhat happy people sleep 6.9 hours, the study shows. The most common symptom is daytime sleepiness. A short sleeper will not experience this. Their quality of sleep will be good and they won’t need to take naps or “catch up” on sleep over the weekend.