@sciencefunn: In 2023, researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of the Republic in Uruguay published a study in the journal Sleep Health. The Connection: They found a causal link between habitual napping and larger total brain volume. The "Age" Metric: The difference in brain volume between those genetically predisposed to napping and those who weren't was roughly equivalent to 2.6 to 6.5 years of brain aging. As we age, our brains naturally shrink; habitual napping seemed to preserve brain volume. The actual difference in brain volume found in the study was about 15 cubic centimeters—which is only about 1% of total brain volume. You would never be able to see the difference by looking at two brains side-by-side like in the graphic. Genetics vs. Behavior: The study used a method called Mendelian randomization, looking at people who are genetically programmed to prefer napping. It doesn’t necessarily guarantee that forcing yourself to nap if you aren't tired will magically grow your brain. No Boost in Performance: Interestingly, the researchers did not find that habitual nappers performed better on cognitive tasks or had better memory. It was strictly a structural observation regarding brain volume. We share interesting science content. Feel free to join us for more. Link for the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37344293/

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Thursday 09 July 2026 18:42:23 GMT