Night owls can become early birds
A new study published in The Journal of Biological and Medical Rhythm Research indicated that while genetics and behavior play a role in our chronotypes, it is possible to shift these patterns over time, with potential benefits not just for sleep quality, but also academic success. This is particularly true in students who successfully transitioned from being night owls to morning larks. The study showed that evening types were more likely to have behaviors that delay bedtimes, shorten sleep duration, and worsen sleep quality. While observing over the course of the academic semester, some students reported a shift in their chronotype, which was linked to behavioral changes, improved sleep health, and higher GPAs. Researchers also noted that common sleep hygiene tips, such as avoiding electronics and caffeine near bedtime, and reducing long daytime naps can help in the transition from evening-type to morning-type sleep patterns.
Do octopuses dream?
In a laboratory in New York, scientists filmed an octopus exhibiting strange behaviors that they think could be reactions to nightmares. Over the course of a month, researchers watched as the octopus appeared to jolt out of a restful sleep and thrash around, in a behavior that seemed almost like the animal was suffering from a sleep disorder. While researchers are still in the early stages of studying this behavior, they did note that some of these behaviors are similar to what an octopus might do when encountering a predator in the wild, which led them to believe it was exhibiting “a form of parasomnia.” Because not much is known about the neuroscience of octopuses and other cephalopods, researchers hope this video helps expand what is known about how cephalopods sleep.
Miley Cyrus prioritizes quality sleep
Clarifying comments published in “British Vogue” about no longer touring, rock star Miley Cyrus took to Twitter this week with a highly relatable argument. Prioritizing her quality of life, Cyrus wrote, “I just don’t want to sleep on a moving bus.” As our own Dr. Chris Winter experienced, sleep and life on a bus can be rough.
