Why some people need more sleep

The mechanism of action of the newly discovered mutation is not entirely clear. The mutation, they found, makes the receptor more sensitive and active.

The specifics of that process, Fu says, still have to be worked out. Fu and her collaborators previously discovered two other genes involved in sleep. They are continuing to explore the mechanisms behind these genes, she says, adding that the speed of their work would be faster if they had more financial support. And hopefully, someday we can know the whole picture. Credit: Nick Higgins. Already a subscriber? Sign in. However, until recently, very little was known about why such variation exists.

A recent study set out to understand why some individuals appear to be able to burn the candle at both ends while others need to spend half of their lives under the sheets. Overall, sleep is still a relatively mysterious beast. Despite spending around one third of our lives in slumber, its exact roles are still being unpicked.

A lack of sleep also seems to impair the immune system , so it might be involved there, too. When you consider that, when in the wild, animals must lie unconscious in the dark, surrounded by potential predators, you realize just how important sleep must be. Either way, the fact that so much of our lives is dedicated to sleep means it must be pretty darned important. In this study, the team wanted to get a handle on the mechanisms that underpin why some people need more sleep than others.

Scientists know that circadian rhythms, or daily cycles of sleep and wakefulness, are involved in our individual sleep patterns.

Does sleeping too much actually contribute to illness, or is it a sign of an existing condition? Either way, if you find yourself always nodding off or looking for the next nap, it might be time to see your doctor. Sleep needs can vary from person to person, but in general, experts recommend that healthy adults get an average of 7 to 9 hours per night of shuteye. If you regularly need more than 8 or 9 hours of sleep per night to feel rested, it might be a sign of an underlying problem, Polotsky says.

A number of conditions can disrupt sleep or interfere with the quality of your slumber, leading you to feel tired and sluggish even after spending 8 hours in bed, says Polotsky. Must Read. Bonnie Pfiester -. Douglas -. Related Articles. Load More.

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