Genetically modified after a sleepless night

People often think that sometimes losing sleep a night does not cause any harm to the body. However, Swedish scientists have found that lack of sleep even one night can alter genes that control the body's circadian clock.

A night of sleeplessness can alter genes

These modified genes increase the risk of disease, affect body temperature, appetite and brain activity. The learners are not sure whether this transformation will exist permanently.

Insomnia can cause genetic changes in humans - (Artwork: Reuters)

Previous studies have shown that our metabolism is affected by insomnia , said Dr. Jonathan Cedernaes of Uppsala University (Sweden) and the study's lead author.

The changes in the cell's clock that governs the biological clock were discovered by scientists when conducting research on 15 healthy men.

Interestingly, the genetic change process can occur rapidly and occur in important biological clock control genes, potentially affecting the metabolic process , said Dr. Jonathan.

This means that long-term insomnia or sleepless nights such as night shifts can cause genes to change and affect metabolism throughout the long term, he added.

Some previous studies also show the unexpected effects of staying up at night . In the study of Pompeu Fabra University (Spain), scientists discovered levels of sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone , in night shift workers very different from ordinary people.

Specifically, male testosterone levels do the highest night shift between 10 am and 14 hours. Meanwhile, normal people are from 6 hours to 10 hours.