You know how we read all these great articles telling us we need 7 hours of sleep- minimum. (35% of us don’t meet this standard, by the way.) Or, those other articles that claim we can’t multitask (or, as I call it, timeslice)?
Here’s one of the newest.
Well, as I’ve said many times, there are some of us that don’t fit those rules. And, making pronouncements that we ALL must follow those rules are simply idiotic. (No, I am not being politically correct.) Some of us are just different.
Five years ago, I presented the data demonstrating that about 1/6 of us are, indeed capable of multi-tasking. Not only did two teenagers (Sarayu Caulfield and Alexandra Ulmer) provide a reasonable study that won the International Science Fair, but Drs. K. Loh and R. Kanai found that those of us who routinely juggle multiple tasks have lower grey matter density in our anterior cingulate cortices (the center for cognitive and emotional processes). [Note: We don’t know if this is the chicken or the egg- do we have lower grey matter density because we multitask or because we multitask our grey matter density is diminished.]
Now, I have the proof for why I can survive on what y’all think is unsatisfactory sleep levels.
But, first, a little science. As I have discussed, sleep behavior is considered a function of the circadian clock , but genetic variations change the amount of sleep we all need- and animal models are hard to use. After all, we humans sleep “all at once” (termed ‘consolidated’), while mice (and other animals) sleep throughout the day.
We also know that β-blockers are part of our chemical arsenal when we can’t fall asleep or don’t stay asleep long enough. So, it’s not surprising that a β1AR gene would have some relationship to our sleep patterns.
Dr. Y-H Fu (UC San Francisco) has two NIH grants that expire in 2022; one is devoted to the neurocircuitry of sleep duration and the other involves how sleep is involved in the development of Alzheimer’s. Her new paper, which was coauthored by Drs. G Shi, D Wu, BJ Bhattacharyya, CR Jones, T McMahon (still at Utah), SYC Chong, JA Chen (UCLA), G Coppola(UCLA), D Geschwind(UCLA), A Krystal, and LJ Ptacek (this is Fu’s husband, by the way), is to be published in Neuron. “A Rare Mutation of β1-Adrenergic Receptor Affects Sleep/Wake Behaviors” describes a mutation in the gene ADRB1 (this is the β1AR gene mutation) that enables folks to “enjoy” 4.5 hours of sleep without feeling tired. This mutation was isolated when the researchers examined a dozen members of a family that slept only 4.5 hours a night.
But, they did more than isolate the gene. They bred rats that had the same mutation- and found those mutants slept 55 minutes fewer per day. And, that mutation was related to altered dorsal pons (sleep regulator) activity in the brain. If the brains were normal, the ADRB1 brain cells were inactive during most of the sleep stages- but were vigilant when they were awake. The mutant rates had even more activity during the waking hours. (They also could wake up sleeping rates when they activate the ADRB1 genes.)
(More science: The mutant mice with the decreased sleep time of 55 min every 24 h is related to the human mutation carriers who sleep 2 h/d less than non-mutant humans. Given the difference in how mice and humans sleep, animal models only partially copy the results found with a human phenotype. )
They decided these are the wakefulness genes.
The researchers (this is related to the second NIH grant for which Fu is the principal director) also found that mutations in DEC2 (another gene) helps folks sleep less.
See- that T-shirt I gave my kids is true! I do have designer genes!
Interesting reportings. I know that I can juggle several things at once, and somethings need my sole attention.
Also, I have been sleeping more these last couple of years adn there are some specific reasons for that.
I recently got a WHOOP device that measures my heart rate 24/7 and tracks my sleep. As you know, not all sleep is the same. The more Deep Sleep (SWS) I get (as well as sleep in the REM cycle) the more I feel rested.
Are there non-prescription drugs to help get me in that state? Should they be taken?
Knowing the difference between when multiple items can be juggled and when one’s sole attention is needed is critical. (I am no longer married, so I don’t have to “pay attention” upon command.)
I would venture that no drug be taken unless one is unable to obtain enough sleep- and that would be prescription. Another reason- but that’s not a sleeping aid- is when micturition demands disrupt one’s sleep.
So much “wisdom” out there. It makes perfect sense to me that people have different sleep needs. Further I know people who must nap and those who do just fine without naps. I wonder if there’s a genetic component to napping. Neither I nor my son are nappers.
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I don’t generally take a nap- unless I feel a bit drowsy. (I have been known to pull off into a rest area and cast a few short minutes of sleep to allow me to continue on my journey.)
That is so interesting! I can function very well on 4-5 hours of sleep a night. So I guess I have designer genes as well!!
Glad to hear that, Martha! That gives you and me extra hours to get things done (and to relax, as well)!
When I was younger, I had those wakefulness genes. I easily functioned on four hours of sleep for years. Six at night is perfect for me now, IF I take a midday nap. However if I sleep 8 hours at night, I am groggy the next day and have trouble functioning.
No, Marcia, I don’t think those genes disappear. I am guessing what you had when you were younger were more forceful hormone flows that let you operate with less sleep (not made you sleep less, made you feel more vigorous despite your sleep deficit).
I am guessing that six hours may be closer to your ideal sleep- and not 8 hours. But, you have a circadian rhythm that hits minimum during the day. Either vigorous exercise or the power nap will “power” you through it.
First of all, I think that your website is better looking now. 🙂 Maybe it’s just my sleep-deprived self.
Now, I am asking myself if I am mutant, too. Most days my sleep hours range from 4 – 5 hours only and I am still alive. I am not sure if the hand allergies are caused by the lack of enough sleep though. Some say that stress causes allergies.
Anti-allergy meds make me feel that I lack sleep because the effect does not wear out after more than 8 hours from the time I took the pill. Without the pill, I do not feel like I am deprived of sleep.
Another interesting post, Roy!
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It’s time for you to get a new anti-allergy pill, Bing! There are many choices that don’t include drowsiness as a side effect.
I am going to show this post to my husband as proof that multitasking is not a myth.. and designer genes – that made me smile…
Oh, no! I wasn’t try to sow martial discord, Vidya! 🙂
🙂