Clinical trials

Natural Short Sleepers are defined as individuals who sleep fewer than 6 hours per night without any impact on health or daytime mental fatigue levels. Emerging evidence suggests that, in the general population, the gut microbiota would be negatively influenced by this sleep duration. It is possible that Natural Short Sleepers have a distinct gut microbiome. Identifying differences in microbiota composition may lead to an opportunity to improve health outcomes in those with inadequate or poor sleep.

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess differences in the fecal microbiota and metabolome associated with insufficient and sufficient sleep, and to evaluate the response and recovery of the microbiota to changes in participant sleep profiles. Researchers will compare the effect of sleep intervention on both insufficient and sufficient sleepers to identify differences in fecal microbiota structure and function between cohorts during habitual sleep and during the sleep alteration intervention period.. Participants will be assigned to one of two cohorts based on their current sleep habits. Cohort 1 are participants who have insufficient sleep at baseline; this cohort will be assigned to spend 1.5 hours more in bed per night. Cohort 2 are participants who have sufficient sleep at baseline; this cohort will be assigned to spend 1.5 hours less in bed per night. The sleep intervention lasts for 14 days.