Sleep Patterns

Are you a light or a heavy sleeper? Do you prefer sleeping on your back or your stomach? You may be surprised to learn that even sleep patterns and preferences, including how deeply one sleeps or their predisposition to sleep conditions like sleep apnea or sleepwalking, are influenced by genetics. However, unlike popular belief, sleep style and conditions are not predominantly determined by the father’s DNA alone, but by an interplay of genetic factors from both parents.

Genetic influences on sleep encompass a wide range of aspects, from circadian rhythms to sleep architecture and sleep quality. While genetic predispositions play a role, they are not the sole determinant of sleep patterns, and environmental factors, lifestyle, and personal habits also significantly influence how an individual sleeps. So, it may be more accurate to say that sleep traits are a result of a combination of genetic contributions from both parents and the individual’s unique genetic makeup.