4 ms·

I've read several of these articles about genetics allowing some people to feel well-rested on little sleep but a key factor always seems to be left out of them

I've read several of these articles about genetics allowing some people to feel well-rested on little sleep but a key factor always seems to be left out of them: Are they actually well-rested? That is to say, how is their risk of sleep deprivation-related illnesses such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression? Is it as low as that of people who get a full night's rest or do their genes simply mask the effects of sleep deprivation, making them feel good while ravaging their physical health?

EliRivers 7y ago
This article - https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190828/UC-San-Francisco-scientists-identify-second-short-sleep-gene-after-10-year-search.aspx https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190828/UC-San-Francisco-... - touches on it. The researcher mentions the typical effects of sleep deprivation - "This has well-known, long-term health consequences. You're more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, metabolic problems and a weakened immune system." - but says that these people don't suffer them. This would suggest that they get all the sleep they need. They're just better at sleeping than us so it doesn't take them as long to get enough. As a less serious and more fun aside, I want to breed these people with that group who have ridiculous endurance capability. The ultra-runners who only stop because they fall asleep :) Like this feller; https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2013/aug/30/dean-karnazes-man-run-forever https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/20...
- Hitton 7y ago
  But it should be that most rare "benefical" mutations have at the same time drawbacks, otherwise they would be probably much more widespread. In this case the drawbacks are just not yet known.
  - meribold 7y ago
    Maybe one drawback is deeper sleep which makes it easier for predators to sneak up.
  - SuoDuanDao 7y ago
    Or they used to have a drawback that is no longer relevant. I'm thinking for instance that the world's longest continuous culture considers 'dreamtime' to be more important in some ways than the waking world. It may be that the functions which used to require 8 hours of sleep can be done during waking hours as well, perhaps through greater caloric intake or more articulated mythologizing.

EliRivers 7y ago

This article - https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190828/UC-San-Francisco-scientists-identify-second-short-sleep-gene-after-10-year-search.aspx https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190828/UC-San-Francisco-... - touches on it. The researcher mentions the typical effects of sleep deprivation - "This has well-known, long-term health consequences. You're more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, metabolic problems and a weakened immune system." - but says that these people don't suffer them. This would suggest that they get all the sleep they need. They're just better at sleeping than us so it doesn't take them as long to get enough. As a less serious and more fun aside, I want to breed these people with that group who have ridiculous endurance capability. The ultra-runners who only stop because they fall asleep :) Like this feller; https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2013/aug/30/dean-karnazes-man-run-forever https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/20...

Hitton 7y ago
But it should be that most rare "benefical" mutations have at the same time drawbacks, otherwise they would be probably much more widespread. In this case the drawbacks are just not yet known.
- meribold 7y ago
  Maybe one drawback is deeper sleep which makes it easier for predators to sneak up.
- SuoDuanDao 7y ago
  Or they used to have a drawback that is no longer relevant. I'm thinking for instance that the world's longest continuous culture considers 'dreamtime' to be more important in some ways than the waking world. It may be that the functions which used to require 8 hours of sleep can be done during waking hours as well, perhaps through greater caloric intake or more articulated mythologizing.