By Mandy Oaklander
For years, scientists have said that everyone needs 8 and a half hours of sleep. Those who have gotten less have been labeled as insomniacs - even if they personally feel more energized with less sleep. Now, new research has shown that there isn't really a one size fits all sleep schedule. In fact, "...short sleepers may actually have an edge over everyone else...Fu has found that besides being more efficient at sleep, they tend to be more energetic and optimistic and have a higher tolerance for pain than people who need to spend more time in bed."
Your inner circadian clock creates a rhythm that your organs operate upon. Sleep discrepancies occur because not everyone's circadian rhythm is the same, and no one really understands how different they are yet. This also influences treatments and tests. If your body produces more of a certain protein at a certain time, then a doctor might test you at that time and get abnormal results, prescribing unnecessary medicine. On that note, medicines can also be more effective if taken at the time that your organs metabolize that medicine best. Note: Exercise is great medicine no matter the time.
Finding out more about circadian rhythm could be the key to personalized medicine. Doctors would know your biological time, and be able to diagnose things much better.
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