Study Finds Biological Factors Drive Sleep Differences Between Sexes

Research on mice reveals females sleep less, wake more often, and have less restorative sleep, challenging long-held assumptions about sleep patterns.

University of Colorado Boulder researchers found female mice sleep an hour less per day than males, with more fragmented and less restorative sleep.
The study highlights biological factors, such as stress and sex hormones, as key drivers of sleep differences, rather than lifestyle or caregiving roles.
Female mice's sleep patterns align with observations in other species, suggesting evolutionary adaptations tied to caregiving responsibilities.
Underrepresentation of females in biomedical research risks skewing drug efficacy and safety data, delaying effective treatments.
Researchers urge equal representation of sexes in studies and re-evaluation of past research to ensure accurate and inclusive findings.