You know that your sheets make a difference when you sleep. You know your pillows make a difference, too. And the temperature of the room and what you ate and drank during the day. There are a myriad of factors that might contribute to how well or poorly you slept. What about your chemical make-up? The genes that make you, well, you. I am referring to your DNA. Does DNA play a role when it comes to sleep?
Everyone sleeps differently. Some sleep on their backs, others their sides, and some on their stomachs. Some prefer soft pillows, those that prefer medium support, and those (like me) who sleep best when their head is on a brick. It’s no wonder, then, that our chemical make-up can affect our sleep.
DNA testing is more popular than ever, with the costs being a fraction of what they used to be, and websites which offer these tests seem to pop up like weeds. Today many of these DNA testing sites do more than just tell you who your ancestors are. According to 23andMe, a popular DNA and genetics testing site, BRBD9 is a genetic marker that is related to sleep movement. This is just one piece of DNA that is related to sleep which this company tests for. Other genes might contribute to our predisposition to some diseases. Not surprisingly, some of these ailments are caused by lack of sleep while others are the culprits that cause us to get less sleep.
Though there is always more to learn about human physiology, one thing is certain. There is some correlation between our DNA and our sleep. The next time you don’t get the sleep you were seeking, don’t blame it on your partner. Because maybe you can just blame it on your DNA.
