Question: My brother sleeps four or five hours every night, and says he’s never tired. He’s done this for as long as I can remember. Do some people simply require less sleep? And is there any danger to sleeping only a few hours a night?
Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
It is true that some people function fine on four to five hours of sleep, but these are unusual cases. Most of us need eight to 10 hours nightly for normal metabolism and adequate brain rest. There are sleep devices available for home use such that can help clarify how much sleep you need and avoid an expensive sleep lab for diagnosis.
You should be aware that there are dangers to getting too little sleep. Generally our bodies will demand double payback when we cut down our sleep hours. Night-shift workers and those who stress their bodies and immune systems by sleeping odd hours do have higher rates of stroke and cardiovascular disease, increased cancer risks, mental health disorders, and sudden death rates, as well as a reduced life expectancy.
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