It’s Monday morning. You are at the office. You are tired, and you yawn loudly. You haven’t closed an eye all night, and now you are paying the price. Most have experienced a lack of sleep at one time or another. You feel used and unprepared and can’t do your job as you usually do.
However, if you are wondering why some are more affected than others, the scientists have discovered the reason. People react differently to a lack of sleep. This was shown in a study from the Washington State University, in which scientists have discovered a special genetic variation.
Sleep is important
First and foremost, it is important to underline that sleep is important for our ability to function as a human being. Among other things, it is only when we sleep that the brain is purged of waste. The brain cells shirk when we sleep, which allows the so called “cerebrospinal fluid” to slide between the blood vessels and remove the waste. If we don’t sleep, the waste accumulates in the brain. Research also indicates that a lack of sleep can exacerbate the development of Alzheimer’s; if one already has the symptoms.
Super gene and a lack of sleep
When we do experience a lack of sleep, there is a reason why we react differently.
The name “DRD2” might not mean much to you. But you might have benefitted from it your entire life. “DRD2” is a gene and if you have a certain variation of the gene, you are probably better at coping with difficult mental tasks, while suffering from a lack of sleep.
In the study from Washington State University, the scientists tested 49 test subjects in their ability to perform different tasks, all of which required the subject to be clear minded and able to concentrate. 34 random participants were required to remain awake for 38 hours, while the remaining 15 were to sleep as they normally would.
The results of the study showed that those whom have a specific variation of the “DRD2” gene performed better at various task. This also matches our existing knowledge on how “DRD2” affects the area of the brain that processes information and cognitive flexibility.
No focus-benefit
However, the gene is not an advantage on all parameters. Because, despite a better performance, in task requiring cognitive flexibility, the participants with the gene variation didn’t perform better in task that required a high level of focus.
“Surprisingly, these people are just as affected by a lack of sleep as others without this gene variation, when it came to tasks requiring cognitive abilities such as remaining focussed,” says lead author Paul Whitney, professor of psychology at the Washington State University, in a press release.
The results of the study show that we can’t generalise the effect of a lack of sleep. The effect will depend largely on the person and the task they are given.
You can’t catch up on sleep
Research has proven that there are serious consequences of missing sleep. A study from the Penn State University College of Medicine has shown that after five days with six hours of sleep a night, our ability to remain focussed is significantly diminished, while inflammation in the body is increased. In short, this means a less effective immune system and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
After two days with 10 hours of sleep, the inflammation will return to normal, however, our ability to stay focussed will not.
The scientists behind the study conclude that prolonged and repeated lack of sleep could potentially be harmful.
Therefore, the next time you feel tired after not having slept enough during the night, and your colleagues handles their lack of sleep better, while achieving better results, remember there is a biological reason why.
However, it is always recommended that you get eight hours of sleep each night.
