How Do Genetics Affect My Sleep Quality?

Is My Quality of Sleep Genetic?

The answer is “yes” for at least 1 out of 3 people. Through studies of twins, we’ve known for some time that insomnia is at least 30% inherited.  Genetic science is now taking it to the next level. If you didn’t sleep well last night, it could have been in your genes. This may come as a welcome surprise to the staggering 25% of the U.S. population that struggles with sleep issues. 

 Understanding your genetics and insomnia will help you take the best measures so that you get that much-needed good night of rest. An ambitious study of 450,000 people in the U.K. identified 57 gene locations that correlate with insomnia.  Researchers selected genes that are not associated with risk factors such as lifestyle, stimulants, depression, or stress.  

Is Sleep Quality Important to My Health?

 An average adult should get at least seven hours of sleep a night for proper cognitive and behavioral functioning. Without adequate sleep, people can become vulnerable to attention lapses, reduced cognition, delayed reactions, and severe mood swings.

 Over time some people may become used to chronic sleep deprivation, which can lead to adverse long-term health effects, including:

• anxiety
• depression
• obesity
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• stroke
• early death

Can I Find Out If My Genetics Affect My Sleep Quality?

Yes. You can obtain a specific analysis of your genetics as they relate to sleep quality. All you have to do is take your DNA data from companies like Ancestry and 23andMe and upload it to Genomelink for a complete report informed by the last genetic science.

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