The pandemic has affected the sleep patterns of many individuals, and teleworking may have played a role, according to a study from McGill University.
Zhou, a doctoral student in McGill University’s integrated neuroscience program, has participated in research on sleep habits and different chronotypes, which correspond to an individual’s biological clock over 24 hours.
“These are people’s natural preferences regarding bedtime and wake-up time,” the doctoral student explained in an interview. “Those who prefer to get up early are called early birds, and those who prefer to stay up late are called night owls.”
The study of these chronotypes revealed some inconsistencies. While some people associate sleepless nights with depression, others find no real correlation. Researchers at McGill University then investigated whether there were differences between the groups of night owls and early birds.
To conduct this study, researchers analyzed brain imaging data, questionnaire responses, and medical records from over 27,000 adults in the UK Biobank.
The initial objective of the study was to determine whether all groups of night owls shared the same brain and health characteristics. The research ultimately identified five subtypes of chronotypes.
On the side of night owls, Le Zhou described three specific profiles. First, there are typical night owls who have good cognitive abilities, but have difficulty managing their emotions and often tend to give in to riskier behaviors, such as smoking, consuming alcohol or even substances.
The second type of night owl is more vulnerable; their cognitive abilities are not very strong, they tend to be less physically active, and they smoke more. Their profile is often associated with depression and cardiovascular risks.
The study demonstrated that these individuals exhibit low connectivity of the brain’s white matter, meaning their information processing is less efficient than that of other subgroups.
Zhou describes the third type of night owl as very energetic and physically active. These are individuals who enjoy clubs and tend to consume alcohol.
“This group is predominantly male,” he reveals. “Their hormonal profile is typically male: for example, they have a higher testosterone level.”
When it comes to early risers, there are two very distinct profiles.
The first is rather classic. Individuals in this category have a stable life, do not take many risks, do not necessarily drink and do not go out.
The second category of people who get up early is, however, more vulnerable.
“They have a very stable lifestyle and participate less in leisure activities, but their early morning schedules are linked to fatigue, anxiety, and even depression,” Le Zhou.
The doctoral student emphasized that the study is primarily based on brain organization and functional connectivity.
“Our main findings are not just about behavior or health outcomes,” he said. “We also observed different brain patterns, particularly in the limbic system.”
“These brain patterns within these brain networks could explain why they have different emotional regulation strategies,” he added.
Evolution of chronotypes in the digital age
This McGill University study on different chronotypes revealed that the post-pandemic era we are in and the rise of digital technology have played a major role in the creation of these different profiles.
Zhou tells us that “in the digital age, and especially since the pandemic, people can work from home or at times that suit them. Therefore, working hours are more varied than before.”
“I’m not sure about all jobs, but for our PhD students, for example, in computer science, we can start work around 10 or even 11 o’clock, while biomedical students have to go to the hospital or laboratory around 8 or even 7 o’clock,” Zhou adds.
When asked about the dangers of these different sleep rhythms, he wanted to clarify that these are basically just individual habits and in no way constitute an illness or a problem.
The objective of the study on chronotypes is to seek to better understand them in order to enable people to better adapt their needs according to their personality, in order to promote the well-being of all.
According to Le Zhou, there are solutions for the different subtypes of individuals who do not fall into the right category and do not necessarily adopt the best sleep rhythms for their body.
“The different brain patterns studied in the research may help explain why these different subtypes exhibit different behaviors and lifestyles.”
Depending on the characteristics of their groups, individuals might try to adapt and change some habits.
Zhou explains that if more vulnerable night owls want to find a more suitable lifestyle, they can, in particular, increase their physical activity or find ways to manage their anxiety.
The researcher adds that people prone to depression might turn to activities that provide them with more moral support, and that typical night owls might, for example, decide to follow their natural rhythm rather than fight against it.
“I think if people know their subtype and examine the health or behavioral profiles they are potentially associated with, it could help them make decisions to improve their lives,” Le Zhou concluded.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
