Secrets of the 'SHORT SLEEPERS' Gene

🛌 What is the “Short Sleep” Genetic Trait?

Most adults need ~7–9 hours of sleep per night. However, a very small percentage of people (estimated <1% of the population) can function optimally on 4–6 hours of sleep with no cognitive or health impairments. These individuals are known as natural short sleepers (NSS).

Unlike people who force themselves to sleep less (and accumulate sleep debt, which is harmful), NSS individuals have specific genetic mutations that change how their brains regulate sleep and wakefulness.

🔬 Genes Linked to Natural Short Sleep

1. DEC2 (BHLHE41)

• Discovered: 2009 (University of California, San Francisco).

• Mutation: A point mutation (Pro385Arg) in the BHLHE41 gene, also called DEC2.

• Function: DEC2 is a transcriptional repressor in the circadian clock system. It normally suppresses proteins that promote wakefulness.

• Effect of mutation:

  • Weakens DEC2’s ability to repress certain genes.

  • Increases orexin (hypocretin) signaling, which promotes alertness.

  • Carriers sleep ~6 hours naturally but show no drop in memory, mood, or attention.

• Animal model: Mice with the same mutation slept ~1.5 hours less per day.

  
  

2. ADRB1 (Adrenergic Receptor Beta-1)

• Discovered: 2019 (also at UCSF).

• Mutation: A mutation in the ADRB1 gene, which encodes the β1-adrenergic receptor, a protein involved in noradrenaline signaling in the brain.

• Location of effect: High expression in the dorsal pons (a brainstem region important for sleep regulation).

• Effect of mutation:

  • The mutant receptor is less stable and degrades more quickly.

  • This alters the activity of specific neurons that regulate REM and non-REM sleep.

  • Carriers sleep ~2 hours less without negative effects.

• Animal model: Knock-in mice with this mutation also had shorter sleep duration.

  
  

3. NPSR1 (Neuropeptide S Receptor 1)

• Discovered: 2020.

• Mutation: A rare variant in the NPSR1 gene.

• Function: NPSR1 is a receptor that binds neuropeptide S (NPS), which promotes wakefulness, arousal, and memory consolidation.

• Effect of mutation:

  • The receptor is hypersensitive, meaning it responds more strongly to NPS.

  • Enhances alertness and wake-promotion.

  • People with this mutation sleep less and recover from sleep deprivation more quickly.

• Animal model: Mice with the mutation were more active, needed less sleep, and showed better resilience to sleep loss.

  
  

4. Other Candidates (Ongoing Research)

• Sik3: Involved in sleep need and sleep pressure buildup. Mutations shorten or lengthen sleep in mice.

• Clock, Per, Cry genes: Core circadian rhythm regulators that, when mutated, can alter sleep timing and duration.

• Genes affecting synaptic plasticity (how neurons strengthen/weaken connections) may also be involved, since sleep is tied to memory and brain recovery.

  

  
  

⚠️ Key Points

• These genetic mutations are extremely rare.

• Most people who get only 4–6 hours of sleep per night do not have these genes and face serious health risks: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mood disorders, reduced immunity, and shortened lifespan.

• Natural short sleepers tend to be high-energy, optimistic, and cognitively resilient, but that’s because of biology, not lifestyle choice.