Latest news with #Ying-HuiFu
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
3 hours of sleep and no fatigue? Scientists uncover the secret of natural short sleepers
How some people function perfectly on 3.5 hours of sleep For decades, the mantra has been the same: adults should aim for seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep each night for optimal health, performance, and longevity. From doctors to wellness influencers, the message has echoed across platforms, backed by countless studies linking insufficient sleep to heart disease, diabetes, depression, cognitive decline, and early mortality. But what if this universal advice doesn't apply to everyone? Enter a rare, fascinating group of people who are redefining what it means to be well-rested. Known as natural short sleepers, these individuals thrive on just three to four hours of sleep per night — and not because they're skimping on rest. Rather, they are biologically wired to require less of it. These are not productivity-obsessed workaholics running on caffeine and willpower. They are genetically programmed to complete all the vital functions of sleep in a fraction of the time, waking up refreshed, alert, and high-functioning without any of the side effects typical of sleep deprivation. This condition, called Familial Natural Short Sleep (FNSS), is exceedingly rare and largely misunderstood, but recent breakthroughs in neuroscience and genetics are helping demystify it. From groundbreaking studies to the potential for revolutionizing sleep medicine, the science of short sleepers is gaining momentum — and it may just unlock answers to one of biology's greatest enigmas. How some people function perfectly on 3.5 hours of sleep Natural short sleepers are often highly energetic, productive, and resistant to common health issues associated with insufficient sleep. According to neuroscientist Dr. Ying-Hui Fu at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), these individuals don't experience the cognitive fog, irritability, or health decline that plagues typical short sleepers. Natural short sleep isn't a result of lifestyle, stress, or overcommitment. It's genetically driven and often runs in families, hence the term familial in FNSS. In most cases, these individuals sleep between 3.5 to 5 hours a night — every night — and report feeling completely rested and mentally sharp. They don't rely on naps or stimulants to compensate. Their bodies simply don't seem to need more. Though estimates vary, only about 1% of the population may possess this trait, making it an incredibly rare but fascinating subject of study in the world of sleep research. Why some people need just 4 hours of sleep: The genetic blueprint The scientific journey into FNSS began with Dr. Fu's landmark study published in Science in 2009, where her team identified a mutation in the DEC2 gene in members of a family who consistently slept for just 4 to 6 hours a night without adverse effects. Since then, Dr. Fu and colleagues have discovered five key mutations across four different genes involved in regulating sleep, including DEC2, NPSR1, ADRB1, and most recently, SIK3. Each mutation alters the sleep architecture of the brain, effectively condensing the sleep process without compromising its restorative benefits. In a 2022 study published in Neuron, researchers used genetically engineered mice to test the impact of the SIK3 mutation. The mice exhibited significantly reduced sleep times without observable physical or cognitive impairment. These findings strongly suggest that FNSS is not just a fluke — it's a biologically viable alternative to conventional sleep patterns. While each mutation alone only slightly reduces sleep needs, stacking them together may have cumulative effects, a hypothesis currently under investigation. If confirmed, this could pave the way to replicating FNSS-like effects safely in individuals with sleep disorders. Can short sleep genes treat insomnia The implications of this research extend far beyond curiosity. Sleep disorders like insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea affect hundreds of millions globally. Understanding the biological mechanisms that allow short sleepers to thrive on less sleep could revolutionize sleep medicine. Dr. Fu's team believes that, in the future, therapies could be developed to mimic or activate these gene mutations in people suffering from insomnia or irregular sleep cycles. This would allow them to achieve restorative sleep in shorter durations, potentially improving quality of life for those who cannot sustain long sleep hours due to work schedules, health issues, or neurological conditions. Professor Clifford Saper, a renowned sleep scientist at Harvard Medical School, supports this line of inquiry, emphasizing that we are only scratching the surface of sleep genetics. 'If we can understand how to safely 'accelerate' the sleep process, we could one day provide relief to millions who struggle with poor sleep,' he notes. The dark side of sleeping less (if you're not genetically wired) Despite the allure of being able to function optimally on minimal sleep, it's crucial to underscore that Short Sleep Syndrome is not something you can train yourself into. Most people who sleep less than six hours a night accumulate sleep debt, which can lead to severe health consequences over time. A 2022 UK Biobank study involving over 7,800 participants found that individuals in their 50s who slept less than five hours per night were 20% more likely to develop multiple chronic conditions, including: Cardiovascular disease Type 2 diabetes Depression Obesity Dementia Moreover, sleep deprivation is associated with weakened immune function, poor memory, mood instability, and a higher risk of accidents. So unless you're genetically tested and confirmed to be a natural short sleeper, cutting back on sleep can be dangerous — not admirable. Why sleep matters: The body's restoration cycle To understand why most people need 7–8 hours of sleep, it's important to know what happens during that time. Sleep is not a passive state; it's a dynamic biological process governed by our circadian rhythm, the body's internal 24-hour clock. Sleep consists of multiple stages: Light Sleep (N1 and N2) – Helps the body relax and transition. Deep Sleep (N3) – Critical for physical restoration, tissue repair, and immune function. REM Sleep – Vital for learning, memory consolidation, and emotional processing. During a typical night, we cycle through these stages four to six times. For natural short sleepers, research suggests that their bodies compress these cycles, achieving full restoration in a shorter window. They may experience a more efficient distribution of deep sleep and REM stages, allowing them to complete the 'tasks' of sleep at high speed — like a compressed file that contains all the data in less space. Are you a natural short sleeper? Wondering if you might be part of this rare elite group? According to sleep researchers, natural short sleepers exhibit several consistent traits: Sleep just 3–5 hours per night and wake up feeling fully rested Never feel the need to nap or 'catch up' on weekends Show no signs of fatigue, brain fog, or irritability Maintain excellent health and cognitive function Often display high energy, optimism, and productivity Still, self-diagnosis is not recommended. If you suspect you might be a natural short sleeper, consult a sleep specialist and undergo polysomnography or genetic testing to confirm. Many people mistakenly believe they're short sleepers but are, in fact, sleep-deprived. The future of sleep: Genetic engineering or natural evolution? With genetic research accelerating, it's not far-fetched to imagine a future where gene-editing technologies like CRISPR could give people FNSS-like traits. But such advancements are years — if not decades — away, and ethical considerations abound. In the meantime, scientists are using the study of FNSS to understand how sleep works at the molecular level, which could have applications in fields ranging from neurodegenerative disease treatment to space travel, where managing sleep in constrained environments is vital. Ultimately, natural short sleepers challenge one of the most fundamental assumptions of modern medicine — that all humans have the same biological need for rest. And in doing so, they open the door to a future where sleep is not just a necessity, but a personalized experience based on genetics. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Economic Times
25-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
How some people feel rested with just 3 hours of sleep: The science behind the super sleepers who defy the 8-hour rule
The Super Sleepers: Who Are They? Cracking the Code: The Genetics of Less Sleep You Might Also Like: Can poor sleep age your brain faster? New study reveals shocking link to shrinking grey matter Can This Unlock a Cure for Insomnia? iStock Scientists aren't just interested in short sleepers for curiosity's sake. Understanding how these genes regulate sleep could lead to breakthroughs in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. The Dark Side of Less Sleep The Rhythm of Sleep: Why Our Bodies Need It Are You a Short Sleeper? You Might Also Like: Why you keep waking up at 3 a.m.? The hidden sleep crisis millions are Googling right now We've all heard it: get your seven to eight hours of sleep if you want to live a long, healthy life. But a rare group of individuals are turning this age-old advice on its head. They're sleeping for just three to four hours a night, waking up refreshed, functioning at peak energy, and showing no signs of sleep deprivation. Welcome to the fascinating world of Short Sleep Syndrome — the genetic marvel that's reshaping how we think about to a report from the Daily Mail, these rare individuals, known as natural short sleepers , aren't just powering through their day on caffeine or naps. They're biologically wired to need less sleep, thanks to a genetic variation that allows their brains and bodies to complete the vital functions of sleep in far less time. The condition, officially called Familial Natural Short Sleep (FNSS), is not a disorder — in fact, these individuals report feeling great, alert, and the average person might risk burnout after a few nights of shortened rest, short sleepers wake up ready to conquer the world — every single breakthrough comes from the labs of neuroscientist Dr. Ying-Hui Fu at the University of California, San Francisco. Since the early 2000s, Dr. Fu and her team have been decoding the genes of these sleep-defiant individuals. Their latest discovery? A mutation in a gene called SIK3, which plays a crucial role in the brain's ability to maintain balance and regulate its internal genetically engineered mice, this mutation led to reduced sleep — albeit modestly. Still, it adds a critical piece to the puzzle of why some humans thrive on so little shut-eye. In total, researchers have now identified five mutations across four genes that could be behind this rare aren't just interested in short sleepers for curiosity's sake. Understanding how these genes regulate sleep could lead to breakthroughs in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. If researchers can learn to safely replicate the mechanisms at play in short sleepers, millions suffering from sleep disturbances could find Professor Clifford Saper from Harvard Medical School explains, even if each mutation only slightly reduces the need for sleep, stacking them together might unlock bigger secrets of sleep regulation — secrets that could one day power new you throw out your alarm clock and start idolising Thatcher's four-hour nights or Churchill's erratic naps, consider this: Short Sleep Syndrome is extremely rare. For the rest of us, reducing sleep to five hours or less can have serious health consequences.A landmark 2022 study tracking over 7,800 people in the UK found that those sleeping less than five hours per night in their 50s had a 20% higher risk of developing chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or dementia — and were more likely to suffer from multiple conditions at takeaway? Unless you've won the genetic lottery, cutting sleep short is a gamble with your sleep-wake cycle is governed by the circadian rhythm , the body's internal clock that tells us when to sleep, wake, eat, and work. At 8 a.m., your cortisol levels spike, helping you feel awake. By 3 a.m., they're at their lowest, letting your body rest deeply. Disrupting this rhythm regularly — as in the case of sleep deprivation — can wreak havoc on everything from your metabolism to your short sleepers? Their rhythms seem to run on fast-forward. All the essential restorative functions — cell repair, memory consolidation, detoxification — appear to happen in a condensed, turbo-charged version of you consistently wake up after three to five hours of sleep feeling completely energised, never nap, and don't need to catch up on weekends — you might just be a natural short sleeper. But it's best to consult a sleep specialist before making any major changes to your sleep now, the rest of us might want to hit snooze a little longer. After all, sleep isn't just rest — it's a vital, intricate process. But for a select few, dreams really do come true in just three hours.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
How some people feel rested with just 3 hours of sleep: The science behind the super sleepers who defy the 8-hour rule
We've all heard it: get your seven to eight hours of sleep if you want to live a long, healthy life. But a rare group of individuals are turning this age-old advice on its head. They're sleeping for just three to four hours a night, waking up refreshed, functioning at peak energy, and showing no signs of sleep deprivation. Welcome to the fascinating world of Short Sleep Syndrome — the genetic marvel that's reshaping how we think about sleep. The Super Sleepers: Who Are They? According to a report from the Daily Mail , these rare individuals, known as natural short sleepers , aren't just powering through their day on caffeine or naps. They're biologically wired to need less sleep, thanks to a genetic variation that allows their brains and bodies to complete the vital functions of sleep in far less time. The condition, officially called Familial Natural Short Sleep (FNSS), is not a disorder — in fact, these individuals report feeling great, alert, and productive. While the average person might risk burnout after a few nights of shortened rest, short sleepers wake up ready to conquer the world — every single day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Cracking the Code: The Genetics of Less Sleep The breakthrough comes from the labs of neuroscientist Dr. Ying-Hui Fu at the University of California, San Francisco. Since the early 2000s, Dr. Fu and her team have been decoding the genes of these sleep-defiant individuals. Their latest discovery? A mutation in a gene called SIK3, which plays a crucial role in the brain's ability to maintain balance and regulate its internal environment. In genetically engineered mice, this mutation led to reduced sleep — albeit modestly. Still, it adds a critical piece to the puzzle of why some humans thrive on so little shut-eye. In total, researchers have now identified five mutations across four genes that could be behind this rare ability. You Might Also Like: Can poor sleep age your brain faster? New study reveals shocking link to shrinking grey matter Can This Unlock a Cure for Insomnia? Scientists aren't just interested in short sleepers for curiosity's sake. Understanding how these genes regulate sleep could lead to breakthroughs in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. If researchers can learn to safely replicate the mechanisms at play in short sleepers, millions suffering from sleep disturbances could find relief. As Professor Clifford Saper from Harvard Medical School explains, even if each mutation only slightly reduces the need for sleep, stacking them together might unlock bigger secrets of sleep regulation — secrets that could one day power new therapies. iStock Scientists aren't just interested in short sleepers for curiosity's sake. Understanding how these genes regulate sleep could lead to breakthroughs in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. The Dark Side of Less Sleep Before you throw out your alarm clock and start idolising Thatcher's four-hour nights or Churchill's erratic naps, consider this: Short Sleep Syndrome is extremely rare. For the rest of us, reducing sleep to five hours or less can have serious health consequences. A landmark 2022 study tracking over 7,800 people in the UK found that those sleeping less than five hours per night in their 50s had a 20% higher risk of developing chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or dementia — and were more likely to suffer from multiple conditions at once. You Might Also Like: Do you sleep too little or too much? Forget eight-hour rule, new study reveals it may depend on where you live The takeaway? Unless you've won the genetic lottery, cutting sleep short is a gamble with your health. The Rhythm of Sleep: Why Our Bodies Need It Our sleep-wake cycle is governed by the circadian rhythm , the body's internal clock that tells us when to sleep, wake, eat, and work. At 8 a.m., your cortisol levels spike, helping you feel awake. By 3 a.m., they're at their lowest, letting your body rest deeply. Disrupting this rhythm regularly — as in the case of sleep deprivation — can wreak havoc on everything from your metabolism to your mood. But short sleepers? Their rhythms seem to run on fast-forward. All the essential restorative functions — cell repair, memory consolidation, detoxification — appear to happen in a condensed, turbo-charged version of sleep. Are You a Short Sleeper? If you consistently wake up after three to five hours of sleep feeling completely energised, never nap, and don't need to catch up on weekends — you might just be a natural short sleeper. But it's best to consult a sleep specialist before making any major changes to your sleep routine. You Might Also Like: Why you keep waking up at 3 a.m.? The hidden sleep crisis millions are Googling right now For now, the rest of us might want to hit snooze a little longer. After all, sleep isn't just rest — it's a vital, intricate process. But for a select few, dreams really do come true in just three hours.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A Gene Mutation Lets You Function Perfectly on 4 Hours of Sleep
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Without 8 or 9 hours of sleep, most of us end up staggering around like zombies. But according to a new study, some people have a genetic mutation that makes them feel perfectly alive after sleeping only half as much. Lucky. Sleeping gives the body a chance to detox and clear out junk from the brain. While the human body typically takes about 8 or 9 hours to do this, having what's called the 'short sleep' mutation makes this possible within just 3 to 6 hours. Neuroscientist Ying-Hui Fu, who researches gene mutations related to sleep, has now discovered another mutation that contributes to natural short sleep (NSS), adding to the five already known mutations that she and her team previously discovered. The new mutation affects the gene SIK3, which is involved in regulating metabolism, energy, and circadian rhythm. A study describing the finding appears now in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 'Our bodies continue to work when we go to bed, detoxifying themselves and repairing damage,' Fu said in a recent press release. 'These people, all these functions our bodies are doing while we are sleeping, they can just perform at a higher level than we can.' Fu began investigating genetic reasons for needing so little sleep after she and her team were approached by a mother and daughter who felt refreshed after sleeping six hours or less. They would go to bed with the rest of us—around 11 p.m. to midnight—but wake up far earlier without an alarm. Analyzing their genome led to finding a rare mutation in the gene DEC2, which regulates circadian rhythm by binding to the gene MyoD1, which in turn switches on expression of the neuropeptide known as orexin. Orexin is secreted by the hypothalamus and keeps you awake, so when DEC2 inhibits MyoD1, lower levels of orexin promote sleep. The DEC2 mutation results in increased levels of orexin, which explains why short sleepers can wake up after only a few hours and have no issue with feeling as if they are about to pass out during the day. In contrast, narcolepsy (characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day and disrupted sleep at night) is caused by an orexin deficit. SIK3 has a part in regulating both the need for sleep and the amount of NREM (non-rapid-eye-movement) sleep we get each night. This gene is active in synapses—spaces between neurons where messages are sent from one neuron to another—and is expressed most in the cerebellum and adrenal glands. When Fu genetically modified mice (which usually need about 12 hours of sleep) to have the SIK3 mutation, she found that they needed half an hour less of sleep to function. That probably means that SIK3 is not the dominant factor in NSS. However, the mutated gene was also most active in synapses, which could mean that it helps reset the brain to decrease the need for sleep. Another SIK3 mutation was previously found to trigger hypersomnia, or the need for more sleep. This study found that one amino acid in this gene, known as S551, is especially important when it comes to sleep regulation. Future studies might be able to use knowledge about such genetic mutations to help with sleep conditions like narcolepsy or insomnia. 'These findings advance our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of sleep,' Fu and her team said in the study. '[They] highlight the broader implications of kinase activity in sleep regulation across species, and provide further support for potential therapeutic strategies to enhance sleep efficiency.' Someday, we may never feel undead in the morning again. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A Gene Mutation Lets You Function Perfectly on 4 Hours of Sleep. It Might Be in Your DNA.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Without 8 or 9 hours of sleep, most of us end up staggering around like zombies. But according to a new study, some people have a genetic mutation that makes them feel perfectly alive after sleeping only half as much. Lucky. Sleeping gives the body a chance to detox and clear out junk from the brain. While the human body typically takes about 8 or 9 hours to do this, having what's called the 'short sleep' mutation makes this possible within just 3 to 6 hours. Neuroscientist Ying-Hui Fu, who researches gene mutations related to sleep, has now discovered another mutation that contributes to natural short sleep (NSS), adding to the five already known mutations that she and her team previously discovered. The new mutation affects the gene SIK3, which is involved in regulating metabolism, energy, and circadian rhythm. A study describing the finding appears now in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 'Our bodies continue to work when we go to bed, detoxifying themselves and repairing damage,' Fu said in a recent press release. 'These people, all these functions our bodies are doing while we are sleeping, they can just perform at a higher level than we can.' Fu began investigating genetic reasons for needing so little sleep after she and her team were approached by a mother and daughter who felt refreshed after sleeping six hours or less. They would go to bed with the rest of us—around 11 p.m. to midnight—but wake up far earlier without an alarm. Analyzing their genome led to finding a rare mutation in the gene DEC2, which regulates circadian rhythm by binding to the gene MyoD1, which in turn switches on expression of the neuropeptide known as orexin. Orexin is secreted by the hypothalamus and keeps you awake, so when DEC2 inhibits MyoD1, lower levels of orexin promote sleep. The DEC2 mutation results in increased levels of orexin, which explains why short sleepers can wake up after only a few hours and have no issue with feeling as if they are about to pass out during the day. In contrast, narcolepsy (characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day and disrupted sleep at night) is caused by an orexin deficit. SIK3 has a part in regulating both the need for sleep and the amount of NREM (non-rapid-eye-movement) sleep we get each night. This gene is active in synapses—spaces between neurons where messages are sent from one neuron to another—and is expressed most in the cerebellum and adrenal glands. When Fu genetically modified mice (which usually need about 12 hours of sleep) to have the SIK3 mutation, she found that they needed half an hour less of sleep to function. That probably means that SIK3 is not the dominant factor in NSS. However, the mutated gene was also most active in synapses, which could mean that it helps reset the brain to decrease the need for sleep. Another SIK3 mutation was previously found to trigger hypersomnia, or the need for more sleep. This study found that one amino acid in this gene, known as S551, is especially important when it comes to sleep regulation. Future studies might be able to use knowledge about such genetic mutations to help with sleep conditions like narcolepsy or insomnia. 'These findings advance our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of sleep,' Fu and her team said in the study. '[They] highlight the broader implications of kinase activity in sleep regulation across species, and provide further support for potential therapeutic strategies to enhance sleep efficiency.' Someday, we may never feel undead in the morning again. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
