You've probably heard the saying, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy, and wise." However, a recent study challenges this widely accepted belief.

A study examining over 26,000 individuals from the UK Biobank found that those who wake up later tend to have better cognitive scores, making them more productive. Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that sleep patterns influence brain performance, with "night owls" generally achieving higher cognitive scores than those who prefer mornings. These findings were published in the BMJ Public Health journal.

Night Owls vs. Morning Larks:

Adults who are naturally more active in the evening—referred to as "night owls"—outperformed those who are morning-oriented in cognitive tests. Morning types consistently showed the lowest cognitive scores across both analyzed groups. Those with an intermediate preference, neither fully morning nor evening-oriented, saw improved scores, with evening types performing the best. In fact, night owls scored 13.5% higher than morning types in one group, and 7.5% higher in another. Intermediate sleepers also performed better, with scores 10.6% and 6.3% higher than morning types in the two groups, respectively.

The Role of Insomnia:

The study also found that sleep duration plays a key role in cognitive performance. Interestingly, individuals who reported insomnia did not show significantly lower cognitive scores. This suggests that the impact of insomnia on cognitive performance might depend on factors such as severity and duration.

Optimal Sleep Duration:

The study emphasized that getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night is ideal for brain function. This amount of sleep enhances cognitive abilities like memory, reasoning, and processing speed. On the other hand, sleeping less than 7 hours or more than 9 hours negatively affects brain performance.

"We’ve discovered that sleep duration has a direct impact on brain function," said Professor Daqing Ma, co-study leader. "Regulating sleep patterns is vital for enhancing and safeguarding our brain health. We hope to see policy changes to help the general public develop better sleep habits."

The Influence of Chronotype:

The study also explored how a person’s natural sleep preferences—whether they are a "morning person" or "evening person"—affect brain function. Evening types, or "night owls," tended to perform better in cognitive tests. The findings suggest that an individual's chronotype, or their preference for morning or evening activity, influences cognitive ability. Although morning types can still have good cognitive performance, evening types generally showed a cognitive advantage.

Dr. Raha West, the study's lead author, explained that while the study reveals a trend, it doesn't mean all morning people perform worse cognitively. She also noted that shifting one's sleep habits—such as gradually adjusting bedtime or increasing evening light exposure—can help change one's sleep schedule, but altering a natural sleep preference is complex.

Conclusion:

In summary, while early risers might not be as "wise" as commonly thought, the key to maintaining optimal brain health lies in balancing sleep duration and aligning with one’s natural sleep preferences. Researchers also found that while insomnia doesn't directly lead to lower cognitive scores, a consistent and healthy sleep pattern is essential for optimal brain function.

Dr. West emphasized, "It's important to recognize and align with your natural sleep patterns while ensuring you get the appropriate amount of rest. This is key to supporting a healthy, well-functioning brain."

The study was funded by the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, in collaboration with Imperial College London.

References:

1. Raha West, Ryan Tak Chun Wong, Ji-Eun Park, Si Woo Lee, Dinayinie Ekanayake Mudiyanselage, Zhigang Liu, Daqing Ma - Sleep duration, chronotype, health and lifestyle factors affect cognition: a UK Biobank cross-sectional study: BMJ Public Health 2024;2:e001000.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)