{
  "id": 19278114,
  "title": "Scientists Identify Genes Linked to Natural Short Sleep",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/scientists-identify-genes-linked-to-natural-short-sleep",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-10T03:30:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/11/09/scientists-discover-genes-natural-short-sleep/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent research led by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has identified rare genetic mutations that may explain why some individuals naturally require less sleep. Most adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep per night, but a small number of people function well on significantly less.\n\nThe findings, detailed in a 2019 study published in the journal Neuron, provide new insights into how the brain regulates sleep and wakefulness. This research offers a scientific context to the National Sleep Foundation's June 2026 review, which reaffirmed its sleep duration recommendations.\n\nOne of the key mutations discovered is in the ADRB1 gene, which plays a role in regulating activity in a brain region involved in transitioning between sleep and wakefulness. This mutation was found in a family where members typically slept fewer than 6.5 hours each night without experiencing the usual problems associated with inadequate sleep.\n\nWhile this discovery sheds light on the genetic basis of natural short sleep, it does not imply that most adults can safely reduce their sleep to four or five hours per night. The research emphasizes that genetics can influence sleep patterns, but individual needs can vary greatly.\n\nPrevious research has also uncovered genetic clues to natural short sleep. In a 2009 study, the same UCSF team identified a mutation in the DEC2 gene in two family members with unusually short sleep patterns. These individuals woke up earlier than their family members and reported an average sleep duration of 6.25 hours, compared to 8.06 hours among relatives without the mutation.\n\nThe discovery of these genetic variations in different genes and families suggests that natural short sleep can have multiple genetic explanations. However, researchers do not believe that a single gene or brain region determines sleep duration. Instead, they point to several biological processes that help regulate sleep and wakefulness.\n\nNatural short sleepers differ from those who intentionally restrict their sleep due to work, caregiving, stress, or personal habits. The latter may feel they have adapted to a shorter sleep schedule, but it does not necessarily mean their bodies are getting enough rest.\n\nThe National Sleep Foundation's 2026 review recommends that adults aged 26 to 64 should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per day. The guidelines also suggest seven to nine hours for young adults aged 18 to 25 and seven to eight hours for individuals aged 65 and older. While sleeping between six and ten hours may be appropriate for some adults, feeling alert after six hours does not necessarily indicate that someone is a natural short sleeper with a genetic variation associated with the trait.\n\nStudying natural short sleepers helps researchers understand how the brain controls sleep duration and why some individuals can feel rested with less sleep. This research may clarify what happens when these pathways are disrupted and contribute to a better understanding of sleep itself, rather than offering a shortcut around the body's need for rest.",
  "summary": "Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night, but a small number of people naturally function well on much less. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), have identified rare genetic mutations associated with this ability, offering clues about how the brain regulates sleep and wakefulness. The findings provide scientific […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}