It has become known how to get enough sleep in just four hours

Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough: a genetic mutation has been found that allows people to sleep half as much without health consequences. This is reported by "Gazeta.ru" with reference to the results of scientific research.

Researchers have discovered a unique N783Y mutation in the SIK3 gene, which controls the depth and duration of sleep through phosphate signaling pathways. This amazing feature was identified in a 70-year-old woman who has been sleeping no more than six hours a day throughout her life.

As it turned out, the lucky carriers of this mutation sleep about a third less than the average person, but their body recovers much faster and does not suffer from the typical consequences of sleep deprivation. Paradoxically, attempts by such people to sleep the recommended 7-9 hours lead to the opposite effect — a feeling of fatigue and exhaustion.

Computer modeling revealed the mechanism of the mutation: it disrupts the standard transfer of phosphate groups, which significantly reduces the body's need for sleep. Scientists also made an astonishing discovery — similar genetic changes existed in mammals millions of years ago, indicating a significant evolutionary advantage of this mutation.

According to researchers, this revolutionary discovery could be the key to developing fundamentally new methods for treating insomnia and other common sleep disorders.

Earlier, specialists from Norway found that using smartphones before bedtime negatively affects sleep quality.