In an August article from Scientific American, a rare genetic mutation has been identified on a gene called DEC2 that causes it’s carriers to become “short sleepers”, meaning they need less sleep! Two women, a mother and daughter, who have this mutation require only 6 hours of sleep without a negative impact. Apparently they can do this because they have a more efficient sleep, with more intense REM states, which was observed in mice with the same mutations.

Why is this important, you may ask? Someday this will help scientists in the treatment of certain debilitating sleep disorders. On a more selfish note, it might even help scientists to develop a biological treatment that allows us regular folk to function just as well as we already do, with less sleep. Just think of the things you could accomplish with a few extra hours!