May 08, 2017

Is When You Sleep In Your Genes?

How do you sleep at night? Are you a night owl? Or an early bird? The answer may be in your genetics.

Science has already taught us about circadian rhythm, also known as the body’s internal clock, which plays a major role in not only our sleeping patterns, but also in our appetite, metabolism and other bodily functions.

Researches are looking into pinpointing how our sleep patterns are affected by isolating the genes and mutations. Recently it was found that there is a link between sleep phase disorder and a mutation in the CRY1 gene.  

It was found that those who have one or two copies of the mutated gene showed a shift of more than two hours in their sleep pattern. That is, their circadian cycle was delayed and they would natural sleep at 2-3am and want to naturally wake after 10am.

However, it should be noted that not all “night owls” have this gene as sleep is also highly affected by lifestyle patterns – work and social lives can affect how late you stay up at night.

Human genetic, much like sleep, is complex. We still do not know why we sleep, just that we need to do it. And that if we don’t, we are more susceptible to a number of health conditions.

The Earth follows cycles and fluctuation in light and temperature – something that our bodies are sensitive to. Essentially, our internal clocks tracks the sun – for example our metabolism kicks in for the morning, our temperature drops for the evening.

Thus, tampering with your body clock – or having a genetic mutation – can throw your whole body out of order.

If sleep problems are something that affects you, it might be worth getting tested. This specific genetic mutation can be determined by a spit test, as can other sleep disorders.

So what can you do if you are a night owl living in an early bird world? This research, lead by Michael W. Young, suggests that a strict schedule might be the solution.

Strict meal times, bedtimes and exposure to light can help manipulate a person’s internal clock.

Young even believes controlling one’s sleep can also help with weight management and circadian rhythm plays a role in metabolic processes.

Sleep and appetite are connected. And evolution in technology and modern society has allowed people to tinker with their internal clocks to negatively affect health.

The human body, as Young suggests, is meant to follow a rhythm. Find one and stick to it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

This is why we should develop sexbots for older people

  The sex industry should consider older adults when they develop new products and help to counter ageist stereotypes about the sexuality of older people while they’re at it, a medical ethicist has argued in the Journal of Medical Ethics. Though older people experience physical changes that can interfere with sexual functioning as they grow... Read More

Chart Your Fart: CSRIO Needs Volunteers to Track Their Flatulence for Science

Passing wind might seem trivial, but it holds the key to understanding gut health. CSIRO’s new 'Chart Your Fart' app invites Australians aged 14+ to track their flatulence and contribute to groundbreaking citizen science research. Read More

Grief and loss after a resident dies: The right for aged care workers to mourn

One of the most rewarding aspects of working in aged care is the strong bonds of friendship that carers develop with residents over many years. But these connections can come at a price – when the resident dies, the carer can experience feelings of profound loss and sadness. Read More
Advertisement