Why night owls and early birds are a mixed bunch - which one are YOU?

"Experts believe people fall into one of five different camps - rather than just two - when it comes to their sleeping patterns. In fact, a team of neurologists and psychiatrists say there are three kinds of 'night owl'. One group tends to be high performers who like a drink, typically drive fast and excel at problem-solving, as well as being more likely to have children. Then there are the risk-taking energetic night owls, typically men, who love social groups, are very physically active and enjoy drinking alcohol. But a third group are more likely to be physically inactive and at risk of developing depression."

"Among morning people, there is a group many would imagine when picturing early risers: those who live stable lives with few risk-taking behaviours who are not likely to drink very much. But there is a second group of early birds, more likely to be women, whose early schedule appears to be a cause of tiredness and who may struggle more with anxiety. The five groups were identified by using an AI algorithm to analyse more than 27,000 people in the UK Biobank health study, published in the journal Nature Communications. Researchers looked at whether participants identified as night owls or early birds, then sorted them into smaller groups based on similarities in their brain structures and connections, also asking about their personality traits, behaviours and physical and mental health."

An AI algorithm analyzed more than 27,000 UK Biobank participants and identified five chronotype subtypes using brain structure, connectivity, personality, behavioral, and health data. Three distinct night-owl subtypes include high performers who drink, drive fast, solve problems well, and are more likely to have children; risk-taking energetic night owls, often men, who enjoy social groups, physical activity, and alcohol; and a less active night-owl group with elevated risk of depression. Two morning subtypes include stable early risers with few risk behaviors and low drinking, and a group, more often women, whose early schedules associate with tiredness and anxiety.

Read at Mail Online