November 2015 PMID 26480842

Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies.

Gandhi Yetish, Hillard Kaplan, Michael Gurven, Brian Wood, Herman Pontzer, Paul R Manger, Charles Wilson, Ronald McGregor, Jerome M Siegel

Mentions

356
Peak: 7 in Apr 2022
across 6 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

792,460
potential audience

Total likes

396

Video views

7,391

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions exhibit a strong agreement with the publication's challenge to conventional sleep models, often referencing specific findings such as the average sleep duration of 5.7-7.1 hours and onset times after sunset, using words like 'contradict,' 'mimicking,' and 'discuss,' which underline skepticism and curiosity. The tone shows a mix of scientific interest and potential implications for health, reflecting both the importance and the ongoing debate surrounding natural sleep patterns.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the findings of the publication, emphasizing that naturally occurring sleep patterns differ from modern assumptions and challenge the idea of a universal segmented sleep.

InterestHigh interest

Posts display high curiosity about natural sleep habits and their implications, with many referencing specific sleep durations and seasonal variations, indicating strong interest.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several comments analyze the research methodology and compare it with modern sleep patterns, showing active and in-depth engagement in understanding the significance of the study.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest that the publication could influence views on sleep health and treatment approaches by highlighting natural variations, although some posts acknowledge the need for further empirical evidence.

Abstract in brief

  • Humans in preindustrial societies slept in patterns similar to each other, with sleep lasting around 5.77 hours mainly during the nighttime, which is shorter than modern industrial sleep durations.
  • The sleep cycles started about 3.3 hours after sunset, ended before sunrise, and their timing was more influenced by environmental temperature and natural light cycles rather than modern artificial lighting.
  • Daily temperature fluctuations and natural light exposure played a key role in regulating sleep, with occasional napping especially in summer, suggesting that mimicking natural conditions could help address sleep issues today.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of the natural environment might be effective in treating certain modern sleep disorders.” https://t.co/aXViiE2vPF

Mar 4, 2022 · 65 likes · 16 shares · 134,147 followers View post →
Tomás Aguirre
@t6aguirre · X

@paulapradot Estudo científico que contradiz essa ideia do sono bifásico como norma em sociedades pré-industrais: https://t.co/rSZuHdORh0 E outro: https://t.co/SOLTfZQKty E mais um: https://t.co/Ewv2OhyJ4K O que é difícil é achar estudos empíricos que *sustentem* essa idea

May 30, 2025 · 14 likes · 1 share · 2,794 followers View post →
htw
@heniek_htw · X

https://t.co/5qIWma69ua

Mar 19, 2023 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 11,266 followers View post →
Hiromasa Funato
@HiromasaFunato · X

電灯も冷暖房もない、文明化されていない3つの民族集団を調べたところ、睡眠時間は6-7時間。日没3時間後くらいに就寝して(季節によるが)日の出前に起きる。習慣的には昼寝しない。 ・・とても普通で健康的だ。 【Yetish Siegel et al, Curr Biol 2015】https://t.co/MTxm1cjT3k

Jan 30, 2019 · 3 likes · 1 share · 2,056 followers View post →
Victor Rotariu
@RotariuVictor · X

@Romain70060587 @atomic_masss @911psyche Yes, maybe, in Europe. Early Europeans migrated from the equator to latitudes with much longer nights, which may have altered natural sleeping patterns. In 300,000 years, medieval times are still extremely recent. Study on pre-industrial sleep: https://t.co/AmuJIrHANs

Jun 29, 2022 · 2 likes · 74 followers View post →
Truth Signal
@de_bose · X

Another “modern medical” advice going to the bin: 8h monophasic sleep is an invention of industrial society. Natural Sleep and Its Seasonal Variations in Three Pre-industrial Societies: https://t.co/ljB6WPj7mx - Researchers traveled to remote corners of the planet to https://t.co/nMvmoP7VLP

Jul 25, 2023 · 1 like · 2,186 followers View post →

All mentions

calvo magnânimo da bahia
@k11mura · X

RT @t6aguirre: @paulapradot Estudo científico que contradiz essa ideia do sono bifásico como norma em sociedades pré-industrais: https://t.…

Jun 1, 2025 · 1 share · 9 followers View post →
Tomás Aguirre
@t6aguirre · X

@paulapradot Estudo científico que contradiz essa ideia do sono bifásico como norma em sociedades pré-industrais: https://t.co/rSZuHdORh0 E outro: https://t.co/SOLTfZQKty E mais um: https://t.co/Ewv2OhyJ4K O que é difícil é achar estudos empíricos que *sustentem* essa idea

May 30, 2025 · 14 likes · 1 share · 2,794 followers View post →
Dr Thomas NΞNNINGΞR
@T_Nenninger · X

@phil_monteret •Segmented Sleep in Preindustrial Societies, A. Roger Ekirch, PhD, National Library of Medicine •Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies, PMC •Segmented Sleep in Preindustrial Societies, SLEEP, Oxford Academic •The forgotten medieval habit

Feb 23, 2025 · 32,113 followers View post →
UrsoBruto
@urso_bruto · X

@turnedfourthing @pegobry_en Yetish, G., et al. (2015). "Natural Sleep and Its Seasonal Variations in Three Pre-Industrial Societies." Current Biology, 25(21), 2862-2868.

Oct 29, 2024 · 862 followers View post →
Alessandro ⚡
@_lumichrome · X

Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/OFu5Gg6pjw

Jun 26, 2024 · 147 followers View post →
Idrissa
@MalengaTeacher · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

May 19, 2024 · 16 shares · 1,728 followers View post →
⚡️ The Blue Light Diet ⚡️
@BlueLightDiet · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

May 19, 2024 · 16 shares · 32,190 followers View post →
The Fox of Independence Avenue
@Uchiha_Madala · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

May 19, 2024 · 16 shares · 960 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

May 19, 2024 · 16 shares · 134,147 followers View post →
Truth Signal
@de_bose · X

Another “modern medical” advice going to the bin: 8h monophasic sleep is an invention of industrial society. Natural Sleep and Its Seasonal Variations in Three Pre-industrial Societies: https://t.co/ljB6WPj7mx - Researchers traveled to remote corners of the planet to https://t.co/nMvmoP7VLP

Jul 25, 2023 · 1 like · 2,186 followers View post →
alephh
@alephh · X

Natural Sleep and Its Seasonal Variations in Three Pre-industrial Societies – Sleep durations of 5.7–7.1 hour – Difference of nearly 1 hr between summer and winter sleep – Onset occurring, on average, 3.3 hour after sunset. Awakening usually before sunrise https://t.co/4DZY2e9xGD

May 4, 2023 · 388 followers View post →
CHSeaton
@COSseaton · X

RT @heniek_htw: https://t.co/5qIWma69ua

Mar 22, 2023 · 2 shares · 5,927 followers View post →
Favorite & only daughter of Cowboy
@times_funky · X

RT @heniek_htw: https://t.co/5qIWma69ua

Mar 19, 2023 · 2 shares · 348 followers View post →
htw
@heniek_htw · X

https://t.co/5qIWma69ua

Mar 19, 2023 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 11,266 followers View post →
JXG
@JohnXGaspar · X

Modern sleep disorders could be treated by mimicking our ancestor's natural rhythms: - Sleep average of 5.7–7.1 hr - Sleep beginning about 3hrs after sunset - Maximal light exposure in the morning - Nap <7% of days (winter) and <22% of days (summer) https://t.co/S2AURsHRei

Dec 23, 2022 · 576 followers View post →
Victor Rotariu
@RotariuVictor · X

@Romain70060587 @atomic_masss @911psyche Yes, maybe, in Europe. Early Europeans migrated from the equator to latitudes with much longer nights, which may have altered natural sleeping patterns. In 300,000 years, medieval times are still extremely recent. Study on pre-industrial sleep: https://t.co/AmuJIrHANs

Jun 29, 2022 · 2 likes · 74 followers View post →
Helga
@hvierich · X

@crys_tom @CountFloyd2020 "Advanced sleep phase" syndrome - it is genetic, just like "delayed sleep phase" (night owl) syndrome. Most people have the more flexible "normal" sleep genetics. See https://t.co/B2Aj87Pq50

Jun 4, 2022 · 1 like · 497 followers View post →
Andy Mercado Gamarra
@AndyMercadoG · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

May 22, 2022 · 16 shares · 452 followers View post →
козел кефир
@cacaoXtawco · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

May 22, 2022 · 16 shares · 391 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

May 22, 2022 · 16 shares · 134,147 followers View post →
Maitreya
@Mithreu · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

Apr 26, 2022 · 16 shares · 1,262 followers View post →
Daniel Zanou
@EdohAyao · X

Natural Sleep and Its Seasonal Variations in Three Pre-industrial Soci... https://t.co/8M1YT70VCp

Apr 22, 2022 · 551 followers View post →
Alejandro Zoccola
@zoccosunlight · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

Apr 12, 2022 · 16 shares · 223 followers View post →
hi
@internetexpert8 · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

Apr 12, 2022 · 16 shares · 99 followers View post →
LNZ
@valuemymind · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

Apr 11, 2022 · 16 shares · 39 followers View post →
paradigse
@paradigse · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

Apr 11, 2022 · 16 shares · 4,608 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

Apr 11, 2022 · 16 shares · 134,147 followers View post →
DublancIT
@DublancI · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

Mar 5, 2022 · 16 shares · 1 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

RT @Grimhood: Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of th…

Mar 4, 2022 · 16 shares · 134,147 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

Natural sleep and its seasonal variations in three pre-industrial societies https://t.co/XT3L4etibS “Mimicking aspects of the natural environment might be effective in treating certain modern sleep disorders.” https://t.co/aXViiE2vPF

Mar 4, 2022 · 65 likes · 16 shares · 134,147 followers View post →
Paolo Menaspà
@MenaspaP · X

Interesting piece on natural sleep in pre-industrial societies. Sleep duration averaged ~6-7 hr...

Jan 12, 2022 · 2,996 followers View post →
織田真理
@kuins · X

RT @MartinOlalla_JM: Hunter/gather societies [Yetish et al. 2015] come handy. They are located in the tropical range. And they do not have…

Mar 14, 2020 · 1 share · 2,662 followers View post →
織田真理
@kuins · X

RT @CharlestonCWKC: Natural Sleep and Its Seasonal Variations in Three Pre-industrial Societies: Current Biology http://t.co/uR8ddTtVXR

Mar 14, 2020 · 1 share · 2,662 followers View post →
Ayane@サイエンスコミックライター
@yuruyuru777 · X

RT @HiromasaFunato: 電灯も冷暖房もない、文明化されていない3つの民族集団を調べたところ、睡眠時間は6-7時間。日没3時間後くらいに就寝して(季節によるが)日の出前に起きる。習慣的には昼寝しない。 ・・とても普通で健康的だ。 【Yetish Siegel e…

Jan 30, 2019 · 1 share · 3,733 followers View post →
Hiromasa Funato
@HiromasaFunato · X

電灯も冷暖房もない、文明化されていない3つの民族集団を調べたところ、睡眠時間は6-7時間。日没3時間後くらいに就寝して(季節によるが)日の出前に起きる。習慣的には昼寝しない。 ・・とても普通で健康的だ。 【Yetish Siegel et al, Curr Biol 2015】https://t.co/MTxm1cjT3k

Jan 30, 2019 · 3 likes · 1 share · 2,056 followers View post →