They're less than three percent of the population and everyone else is probably jealous of them.
Imagine this, what if four hours of sleep a night was enough? It sure would make our schedules easier. For some people, it's sufficient. They're called short sleepers.
Most people need about 16 hours of wakefulness and 8 hours of sleep, but maybe not all humans.
If a 4-hour slumber leaves you feeling spry, dream big, because rumor has it you're in elite company. Da Vinci painted masterpieces, Napoleon conquered an empire, and Martha Stewart created one on minimal shut eye.
Behold "short sleepers;" while you're tossing and turning all night, these super humans sleep just 4 to 6 hours and wake up fully rested, fully recharged.
Dan Nainan is a short-sleeping comedian who says going to bed at midnight and waking up at 4am benefits him professionally.
"I have 15-20% more time than the average person and I can get a lot more done," says Nainan.
That means more hours to write jokes and travel between gigs. Nainan says he never drinks caffeine because he simply doesn't need it.
"I feel like I have all this energy. I'm positive all the time," says Nainan.
"They appear to be extremely energetic, very productive, go go go a lot of drive, despite the fact that they're sleeping less than the average person," says Louis Ptacek, Professor of Neurology, UCSF.
Short sleepers don't nap, they don't rely on caffeine and most, doctors say, are more outgoing and upbeat than the average person.
Researchers at the University of California San Francisco have pinpointed a genetic mutation unique to short sleepers and say the condition may run in families.
But whether you're a short sleeper or a regular Joe, making the most of your mattress time is essential to healthy living.
Doctors say it's likely that less than 1%of the population falls into the "short-sleeper" category, so it really is a small group of very lucky people. They also warn that if you're not a short sleeper by nature, don't try to be one.
Sleep deprivation can lead to serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Listen to your body's needs.
