Short Sleeper? Your Genes Might Be Why

nytimes.com:

Researchers have found a genetic mutation in two people who need far less sleep than average, a discovery that might open the door to understanding human sleep patterns and lead to treatments for insomnia and other sleep disorders.

The finding, published in the Friday issue of the journal Science, marks the first time scientists have identified a genetic mutation that relates to sleep duration in any animal or human.

Although the mutation has been identified in only two people, the power of the research stems from the fact that the shortened sleep effect was replicated in mouse and fruit-fly studies. As a result, the research now gives scientists a clearer sense of where to look for genetic traits linked to sleep patterns.

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[Cyrus Winston]

While now I'm in my senior year at college, when I was 17, I went to four different schools (3 colleges and high school) and had a part time job - I was ranked 10th in my high school class (although in truth I was probably higher), so I managed all of this well enough.

Every day I would wake up at around 6:00 AM without an alarm clock, and go to bed at around 12 or 1 - depending on how long it took to complete my homework, and I always felt rested.

Even now, I still don't need an alarm to wake up.

As far as I can tell, I'm the only person in my immediate family that's like this.

If this behavior is really linked to a mutation, I'd bet it is closely linked to what is called "OCD" or obsessive-­compulsive disorder - which I also have.

Except I don't think it is a disorder, as it is actually more of an advantage - the psychologists just hate what they deem too different from their idea of normal.