Sleeping Less Than 6 or More Than 8 Hours May Accelerate Biological Aging, Study Finds

Islamabad (Qudrat Roznama) Scientists say that people who sleep less than six hours or more than eight hours a day may experience signs of biological aging more rapidly.

According to researchers, the ideal amount of sleep appears to be around seven hours. People who slept between 6.4 and 7.8 hours daily showed fewer signs of aging compared to those with shorter or longer sleep durations.

With the growing use of modern fitness trackers and smartwatches, it has become easier than ever to monitor the quality and duration of sleep each night.

While the harmful effects of insufficient sleep are already well established, a new study suggests that excessive sleep may also negatively impact health.

Lead author Dr. Junhao Wen, Assistant Professor of Radiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, said the findings do not necessarily mean that sleep duration alone directly causes organs to age faster or slower. However, he noted that both too little and too much sleep may indicate an overall decline in physical health.

The study focused on “biological aging,” which differs from chronological age. Biological aging refers to the gradual decline in the body’s physical functions, including reduced ability of cells to repair themselves, increasing the risk of disease and death. Biological age reflects the functional condition of organs and tissues and is influenced by genetics, environment, and lifestyle.

Researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center analyzed data from nearly 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank project using artificial intelligence to assess signs of aging in various organs.

The research, published in the journal Nature, used AI-based aging clocks to measure organ deterioration and aging. Scientists examined medical imaging, organ-related proteins, and specific molecules found in blood samples.

The team then compared participants’ reported sleep duration with results from 23 aging clocks linked to 17 different body systems.

The study found that insufficient sleep was strongly associated with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders, consistent with previous research. Short sleep duration was also linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and irregular heartbeat.