Sleep Is Overrated: Why You Can Function Without It

Sleep is essential for our health and well-being, but some people need less of it than others. Short Sleeper Syndrome (SSS) is a sleep condition characterised by sleeping fewer than six hours each night. People with SSS can function normally throughout the day without needing to nap or sleep more to recover from a lack of sleep. This is different from those who choose to limit their sleep. Scientific evidence suggests that SSS may be associated with a gene mutation, which enables people to function well on less sleep. Studies have shown that if you don't get enough sleep and you're not a short sleeper, you can put on weight and are more likely to suffer from diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Short Sleeper Syndrome (SSS) is a sleep condition characterised by sleeping fewer than six hours each night

Natural short sleepers tend to have a minimal sleep requirement that occurs naturally. They do not purposefully restrict or avoid sleep. Their short sleep pattern is usually the same on most nights, including weekends and holidays. This pattern of short sleep usually begins in childhood or adolescence and continues into adulthood.

Research suggests that SSS may be associated with a gene mutation. A 2014 study at the University of Pittsburgh found that a small percentage of people have a short sleep gene. The study compared identical twins, one of whom carried the short sleep gene mutation. The twin who carried the mutation outperformed their sibling on cognitive tasks after the same amount of sleep the night before. This change in the genes allows those with the mutation to function well on fewer than six hours of sleep each night.

The main symptom of SSS is sleeping between four and six hours each night. Natural short sleepers typically do not need an alarm clock, fall asleep easily, and feel good and energetic after just a few hours of sleep.

There are no known health risks or complications associated with SSS. It is not considered a sleep disorder, and natural short sleepers do not experience the same health risks as people who do not get enough sleep.

Research suggests that SSS may be associated with a gene mutation

Short Sleeper Syndrome (SSS) is a sleep condition characterised by sleeping for fewer than six hours each night. Scientific evidence suggests that SSS may be associated with a gene mutation.

A 2014 study at the University of Pittsburgh found that a small percentage of people have a short sleep gene. The study compared identical twins, one who carried the short sleep gene mutation and one who lacked this mutation. The twin who carried the short sleep mutation outperformed their sibling on cognitive tasks after the same amount of sleep the night before. This mutation was also found in a mother and daughter who routinely slept an average of 6.25 hours nightly, compared to their family members who slept around 8 hours regularly.

Further to this, researchers have identified over 50 families with people who need less than 6.5 hours of sleep a night to feel well-rested. In 2019, a team led by Dr Ying-Hui Fu and Dr Louis Ptáček at the University of California, San Francisco, carried out a study in a family with three generations of naturally short sleepers to look for genes involved in their unusual sleep patterns. They found a rare mutation in the ADRB1 gene that was being passed through the family. Family members who inherited one copy of this mutant gene had a shortened sleep cycle. The ADRB1 gene codes for the β1-adrenergic receptor, which is found on many cells in the body and responds to hormones, including those known to regulate the sleep/wake cycle.

When this same gene mutation was engineered into both mice and fruit flies, both species naturally slept less than their counterparts without the gene change. Mice with the genetic mutation slept almost an hour less each day than normal mice. They had about seven minutes less of REM sleep and 53 minutes less of non-REM sleep.

However, researchers note that the complexity of human sleep is not explained by a single gene. Scientists believe multiple genes are involved.

People with SSS are different from those who choose to limit their sleep

People with Short Sleeper Syndrome (SSS) are different from those who choose to limit their sleep. Those with SSS are natural short sleepers who experience minimal sleep requirements without any apparent ill effects. They do not purposefully restrict or avoid sleep and tend to sleep for fewer than six hours each night. On the other hand, those who choose to limit their sleep may be doing so due to time constraints or personal preferences.

The pattern of short sleep in SSS usually begins in childhood or adolescence and continues into adulthood. It is often habitual, with natural short sleepers getting at least 25% fewer hours of sleep compared to their peers. They typically sleep between four and six hours per night and do not need an alarm clock to wake up. They fall asleep easily and feel energetic and refreshed even after a few hours of sleep.

The cause of SSS is believed to be a gene mutation, specifically in the ADRB1 gene, which codes for the β1-adrenergic receptor. This mutation enables people with SSS to function well on less sleep. It is passed down in families, with parents passing the mutation to their children. Research has identified over 50 families with genetic mutations linked to SSS.

In contrast, those who choose to limit their sleep may be doing so due to external factors such as work commitments, personal preferences, or time management issues. They may still experience negative consequences such as drowsiness, impaired mental performance, and an increased risk of health problems.

It is important to distinguish between people with SSS and those who choose to limit their sleep. SSS is not considered a sleep disorder, and those with SSS do not suffer from daytime drowsiness or other sleep-related complaints. However, those who choose to limit their sleep may experience negative impacts on their health and well-being.

If you don't get enough sleep and aren't a short sleeper, you may gain weight and be more prone to diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Sleep is essential for the proper functioning of the brain and body. Most people need at least seven hours of sleep per night to function properly. However, a small group of people, known as natural short sleepers, can sleep six hours or fewer per night and still feel refreshed and energetic during the day. While short sleepers do not suffer any negative health consequences, sleep deprivation in people who are not natural short sleepers can lead to several health issues, including weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Sleep deprivation is linked to a higher risk of insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Studies have found that insufficient sleep, irregular sleep, and sleep disorders like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance, which can lead to the development of diabetes. Sleep problems can also worsen existing cases of prediabetes or diabetes.

Sleep deprivation can also disrupt the body's production of appetite-regulating hormones, leading to weight gain. Specifically, insufficient sleep is associated with higher levels of the hormone ghrelin, which increases appetite, and lower levels of leptin, which leads to a reduced feeling of fullness. This hormonal imbalance can contribute to weight gain.

Additionally, sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that short sleep duration and poor sleep quality can lead to elevated sympathetic nervous system activity, increased blood pressure, and hypertension, which are risk factors for cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction.

In summary, while natural short sleepers do not experience negative health effects from sleeping less, people who are not natural short sleepers and do not get enough sleep may be prone to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Improving sleep hygiene and extending sleep duration can help mitigate these risks and promote overall health.

People who don't sleep enough can suffer serious consequences, known as sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences on a person's health and well-being. The amount of sleep needed changes as a person ages, and sleep needs vary from person to person. Most adults need seven or more hours of sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep can lead to physical and mental health problems.

Sleep deprivation can affect a person's health in far-reaching and surprising ways. Here are some of the consequences of not getting enough sleep:

• Increased risk of colorectal cancer
• Weakened immune system
• Increased risk of Type 2 diabetes
• Higher risk of heart disease
• Higher blood pressure
• Higher risk of catching a cold
• Higher risk of fatal car crashes
• Increased cravings for sweet, salty, and savoury food
• Higher risk of obesity
• Lower appetite control
• Increased risk of dementia
• Sleep deprivation can age a person's brain by 3-5 years
• Sleep deprivation can also negatively affect a person's mental abilities and emotional state. They may feel more impatient or prone to mood swings, and it can also compromise their decision-making processes and creativity.

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