Waking up early may impair your cognitive ability, study suggests

A recent study by researchers at Imperial College London, using data from the UK Biobank, has uncovered a compelling link between sleep patterns and cognitive ability. The findings suggest that night owls, known for their increased activity in the evening, may outperform early risers in cognitive assessments.

The study, which encompassed the analysis of sleep patterns and cognition in nearly 27,000 participants, unveiled compelling findings. Among these, it was revealed that contrary to conventional wisdom, sacrificing sleep to awaken early may not yield beneficial outcomes for mental prowess. Those naturally inclined towards eveningness, commonly referred to as “night owls,” exhibited heightened cognitive function across various assessments of intelligence, reasoning skills, reaction times, and memory.

Furthermore, the research delved into the concept of chronotypes, categorizing individuals based on their preferred sleep-wake patterns. Notably, cognitive performance was observed to be diminished in women, irrespective of their chronotype, indicating that additional factors beyond sleep timing may influence cognitive abilities.

Impact of Sleep Duration and Quality on Cognitive Ability

The primary objective of the study was to elucidate the connection between sleep duration, quality, and chronotypes. The results emphasized that individuals consistently obtaining seven to nine hours of sleep per night demonstrated exceptional performance in cognitive evaluations. Striking a balance between sleep duration and quality is therefore paramount to upholding optimal brain health.

Dr. Raha West, the lead author of the study and associated with the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London, underscored the significance of adequate sleep. Dr. West stressed the essential nature of sufficient rest for brain function, regardless of an individual’s preference for early rising or late evenings. Insufficient or excessive sleep, she mentioned, could detrimentally impact cognitive abilities.

“Our study found that adults who are naturally more active in the evening – what we called ‘eveningness’ – tended to perform better on cognitive tests than those who are’morning people’,” said Dr. Raha West, lead author of the study from Imperial College London’s Department of Surgery and Cancer.

She also emphasised that sleeping too little or too much is likely to have a detrimental effect on cognitive abilities.

“This is crucial for keeping your brain healthy and functioning at its best,” she stated.

The researchers recommended people to control their sleep patterns proactively since “sleep duration has a direct effect on brain function” and to protect “the way our brains work”.

The researchers advocate for proactive management of sleep patterns, with Dr. West underscoring the direct impact of sleep duration on brain function and urging individuals to prioritize their cognitive well-being. “Our brains operate at peak performance when we prioritize sleep,” she added.

Overall, this study challenges the conventional belief in the inherent advantage of early rising. Whether one identifies as a morning person or a night owl, emphasizing quality sleep is crucial for sustaining cognitive acuity. Amidst our bustling lives, it is essential to recognize that a well-rested brain serves as our most valuable asset.

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