A new study challenges the early bird stereotype, suggesting night owls might actually have a cognitive advantage thanks to higher scores on thinking tests. However, good sleep habits remain crucial for peak mental performance regardless of your chronotype.
For night owls, the world often revolves around a different clock. While early risers hail the morning sun with a chipper “good morning,” those who thrive at night might just be hitting their stride as the day winds down. But beyond personal preference, a new study throws a curveball into the age-old debate of early birds versus night owls, suggesting that evening types might actually have an edge when it comes to cognitive function.
This research, conducted by a team at Imperial College London, analyzed data from over 26,000 participants in the UK Biobank [1]. The Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database containing genetic and health information on a substantial portion of the British population. By delving into this trove of data, the researchers aimed to understand the connection between sleep patterns, sleep duration, and cognitive abilities.
The study focused on something called “chronotype,” which refers to an individual’s natural tendency to sleep and wake at certain times. Early birds, or “morning larks,” as the study called them, tend to feel most alert and productive in the earlier hours of the day. Night owls, on the other hand, exhibit “eveningness,” preferring later sleep schedules and peak productivity during the evening and night. Interestingly, the researchers also considered a third category: “intermediate sleepers” who fall somewhere in between the two extremes.
Cognitive function was assessed through a battery of tests designed to measure intelligence, reasoning, memory, and processing speed. The results were quite surprising. Compared to their early-rising counterparts, night owls displayed significantly higher scores on the cognitive tests. In one sample, evening types outperformed larks by an impressive 13.5%, while another sample showed a 7.5% advantage. Even intermediate sleepers exhibited a cognitive edge over morning people, scoring 10.6% and 6.3% higher in the two separate samples, respectively.
These findings challenge the long-held perception of early risers being inherently sharper. The night owl victory lap might be premature, however, as some limitations deserve consideration. First, the study was observational, meaning it can’t definitively prove that being a night owl causes better cognitive function. It’s possible that people with naturally higher cognitive abilities are also more likely to gravitate towards evening chronotypes.
Second, the study didn’t account for the specific times at which the cognitive tests were administered. If the tests were conducted in the mornings, night owls who hadn’t reached their peak alertness could be at a disadvantage. Ideally, future studies would incorporate testing times that cater to individual chronotypes.
Another factor to consider is sleep quality. Regardless of whether you’re a lark or an owl, sufficient sleep duration and good sleep hygiene are crucial for optimal cognitive function. The study did find that 7 to 9 hours of sleep appeared to be the sweet spot for cognitive performance across all chronotypes. So, even if you’re a night owl who aces thinking tests at midnight, skimping on sleep will eventually catch up to you.
The societal implications of this research are intriguing. In a world often geared towards early risers, night owls might struggle to perform at their best in jobs or educational settings that demand peak performance during mornings. Perhaps a more flexible approach to work schedules or class timings could be beneficial to accommodate natural sleep-wake preferences.
It’s also important to remember that chronotype is not a rigid category. People can exhibit some degree of flexibility in their sleep schedules. With conscious effort, some night owls might be able to nudge their sleep phase slightly earlier to better fit societal demands. However, forcing oneself into a drastically different chronotype can disrupt sleep quality and negate any potential cognitive benefits.
Overall, this study adds a new dimension to our understanding of sleep patterns and their impact on the brain. While evening types might have a leg up when it comes to cognitive tests, factors like sleep quality and societal structures still play a significant role. For night owls, the message is clear: embrace your natural tendencies, prioritize good sleep hygiene, and advocate for work or learning environments that cater to your unique chronotype. After all, the world might just need your sharpest thinking under the cloak of night.
