Did you ever think that genes could label you if you’re an early morning person like a lark or a night owl? Friends often nudge each other asking if they’re a morning person or a night owl, but do we really understand what that question means? Is it just a habit or something more? Scientists say it’s more.
Recent studies reveal that your sleeping patterns could have a lot to do with your genes. You might have already guessed, but this essentially means that being a night owl or early riser could be passed down through your family tree. It’s like inheriting your grandmother’s nose or your dad’s sense of humor. Surprisingly, your sleep preferences can have an impact on your overall health.
Scientists already knew about certain sleep disorders being hereditary like insomnia or sleepwalking, but they’re not entirely sure if it applies to early risers or night owls. Recently, scientists conducted a research study to find out if there’s a connection between genes and being a morning person or night owl.
Their work involved sorting through DNA, the blueprint of life, of about half a million people to figure out if there were any common patterns among those who liked staying up late or waking up early. They managed to locate several genes that they believe play a significant role in deciding if you’re a lark or owl.
In this research, they found something surprising. These genes that supposedly decide whether you’re a morning person or night owl, are closely linked to your body’s internal clock or your circadian rhythms. This is like your body’s very own alarm clock that tells you when it’s time to go to sleep or wake up.
Now, this is where it gets even more interesting. The research also found evidence that these ‘night owl’ or ‘morning person’ genes are linked to your overall health. Specifically, it showed ties to conditions like depression, heart disease, and even type 2 diabetes. This means the time you love to head to the bed or wake up could impact your health too!
Remember, this research is just the starting point. Scientists are looking further into this to know more about how our body’s clock influences our health. It’s fascinating to think that genes can influence so much about us, right down to our preferred sleep patterns!
So, the next time your friend asks if you’re a morning person or a night owl, you can say confidently that it’s in your genes! The understanding of this connection between genes and your preference towards the morning or night can also better our knowledge about our health risks too.
In short, there could be a significant ‘gene’ reason behind being a morning person or night owl – just one more exciting discovery on the vast landscape of science about genes and health. However, sleep preference could also be influenced by various environmental reasons, and it doesn’t make or break your health. It just adds another unique factor to consider in understanding ourselves better.
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