The Natural Short Sleep Gene

We’re often told that everyone needs eight hours of sleep, but for some, six is more than

enough. Researchers have identified a rare mutation in a gene called BHLHE41 that

creates what they call "natural short sleepers". People with this genetic variant

don’t just get by on less rest—they are actually more resilient to the negative effects

of sleep deprivation. In clinical trials, individuals with this mutation showed fewer performance

lapses and recovered their cognitive functions faster than those without it.

While most of us are struggling with a "sleep debt," these individuals are biologically

programmed to function at their peak on much less. Discover the science of the "short sleep"