Breaus Night Owls Summary

In his article "How Will You Sleep Tonight? It's in Your Genes," Breaus reports that sleep habits correlate with genetics and biology. The two clear ends of the sleep spectrum are the early risers and night owls, with most of the population falling somewhere in between. Breaus notes that an individual’s placement on the spectrum depends on their chronotype. Different chronotypes are affiliated with timing of activity and rest, lifestyle disposition, and cognitive function. Structural differences of the brain were found during brain scans of those on opposite ends of the spectrum. Breaus illustrates the negative effects of being a night owl, such as: sleep deprivation, physical pain, fatigue, and difficulty focusing. It is also noted that those
On page 53 in chapter 2 of the textbook, I learned that bright lights can disrupt the biological clock by tricking the brain into thinking its morning time. The morning light signals the brain to decrease the sleep-inducing hormone called melatonin, resulting in delay of sleep. According to Breaus, negative effects of being a night owl are "fatigue and daytime sleeplessness, difficulty focusing, and physical pain and discomfort." This agrees with the effects of sleep loss learned in chapter 2. I learned that drained energy, feelings of well-being, suppression of immune system, and altered metabolic and hormonal functioning are all contributed to lack of sleep. Finally, it is stated in the article that night owls are "inclined to eat more, and to have less healthful diets than early risers or people with intermediate sleep patterns." This relates to the concept mentioned in chapter 2 that sleep deprivation goes hand in hand with becoming overweight. When you are sleep deprived, a hunger-arousing hormone is increased while the hunger-suppressing hormone is decreased. Coupled with the rise in cortisol, which stimulates fat production, an increase in weight is a