We all know that sleepless nights are bad for our bodies, but it might be even more dangerous to our mental state.
A recent genetic study led by a team of researchers found that consistently getting less than 5 hours of sleep each night may seriously increase the risk of developing various depressive symptoms.
Here's what they've discovered.
More about the discovery
This study challenges the idea that poor sleep is merely a consequence of mental health issues.
The research, involving over 7,000 individuals with an average age of 65, suggests a more complex relationship between their sleep and mental well-being.
The team of scientists discovered that ones with a genetic predisposition for short sleep duration (less than 5 hours every night) were more likely to experience various depressive symptoms over a 4-12 year period.
Senior author highlighted the importance of understanding the link between depression and insufficient sleep, especially as the world's population continues to age.
The findings also indicated that people sleeping longer than 9 hours were more likely to experience depressive symptoms, but this did not have a lasting effect in subsequent years.
Why it's important
This research demonstrates that genetics play a role in both sleep duration and depression, offering valuable insights into the complex relationship between these two factors.
