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A recently discovered rare genetic mutation allows some people to thrive on just four to six hours of sleep a night, feeling refreshed and alert during the day. Most people need about eight hours.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco detailed the mutation SIK3-N783Y in a new study that tested it on sleep-deprived mice.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
The researchers found that a small number of people carry a rare genetic mutation that lets them feel rested after just four hours of sleep. Most people still need about eight hours to function.
Researchers labeled the mutation SIK3-N783Y ‘super sleep.’ They studied it using genetically modified mice and found that mice with the mutation slept less than mice without it.
SIK3-N783Y is one of several mutations linked to shorter sleep. Researchers hope that understanding the genetics of people who naturally need less sleep could lead to new treatments for sleep disorders.
“Our bodies keep working while we sleep, clearing toxins and repairing damage,” said In-Huei Fu, a neurobiologist and geneticist and co-author of the study. He added that “the bodies of people who sleep less perform their functions during sleep at a higher level.”
People with the Rare Mutation Feel Worse if They Sleep Longer
Lack of sleep causes sluggishness, forgetfulness, and raises the risk of heart disease. The amount of sleep people need changes with age. Most adults require about seven to nine hours of sleep each night to be in good shape during the day, according to Live Science.
By contrast, people who thrive on four to six hours of sleep usually feel worse if they sleep longer than usual, the researchers reported.
Researchers still have a lot to learn about the genetics of people who naturally sleep less and about what allows them to do so.
The study appears in the journal PNAS.
