Do You Hate Mornings? Blame Your Genetics!
- When you utter the words, “I’m not a morning person,” that’s a statement that might be true right down to the cellular level.
- There are at least 15 genetic variants which help determine whether a person is an early bird, a night owl or something in between.
- Research has found that in general, morning people have fewer instances of depression and maintain healthier body mass indexes.
- Morning people are also less likely to have insomnia than their night owl counterparts.
- If you are suffering from sleep loss, don’t think that you are powerless. Instead, speak with your doctor.
Do you find that you end up hitting the snooze button multiple times before you can drag yourself out of bed? Or do you need to be at least halfway through your second cup of coffee before you can have a civilized conversation with another human being?
If you answered yes, you might be able to blame your aversion to mornings on your genes!
Yep. When you utter the words, “I’m not a morning person,” that’s a statement that might be true right down to the cellular level. By contrast, if you love mornings but are a total party pooper by 9 pm, well you can probably blame your genetic makeup for that too!
A study that was published last year in Nature Communications found that there are at least 15 genetic variants which help determine whether a person is an early bird, a night owl or something in between. These genetic differences affect traits such as circadian rhythms, narcolepsy and REM sleep.
ABOUT THE STUDY
It is important to note that the study that was published relied on the self-reporting of more than 89,000 people and correlating data. It was one of the largest studies of its kind. It does not prove however that sleep patterns are exclusively the result of genetics but it does build a strong case that when it comes to “morningness” genes are a factor.
SLEEP AND HEALTH
Research has found that in general, morning people have fewer instances of depression and maintain healthier body mass indexes. While there is not yet enough evidence to support an actual cause and effect claim, it is worth it for night owls to watch for these types of symptoms and discuss them with their doctor if they are noticed.
Morning people are also less likely to have insomnia than their night owl counterparts.
INHERITED MORNINGNESS
The study showed how the gene variants for being a morning person are likely to be passed down from parents to children. For example, if the father of the family is an early riser, his daughter is 2.4 times more likely to be a morning person while his son is 1.9 times more likely to be a morning person.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
If being a morning person or not relies to a large extent on your genetic makeup, does this mean there is no hope for people suffering with sleep disorders and other similar problems? Not at all! The insights gained in this and similar studies can help scientist gain a better understanding of sleep habits, depression, obesity and other related issues. The more we know about the genetic variants that affect our circadian rhythms, the more effective treatments and solutions, scientists will be able to come up with.
If you are suffering from sleep loss, don’t think that you are powerless. Instead, speak with your doctor. Oftentimes changes in diet, exercise, stress levels, medications etc. can help.
In the meantime, the next time you find yourself reaching for the snooze button in the morning, don’t blame yourself, blame your genes.