Early bird or a night owl: Did you know there are 5 unique sleep subtypes?

Sleep types: The inner clock of each person may tick to a subtly unique tempo, a neurological fingerprint revealed by brain imaging and behavioural profiling (Image: Pexels)

• Study finds five distinct chronotype subtypes, not just morning or night types
• Each subtype shows unique brain patterns, behaviors, and health links
• Research used brain scans from over 27,000 adults and 10,000 children

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Most of us know whether we prefer dawn or dusk, but what if that preference is just the tip of the iceberg? A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that our chronotype, the body's natural proclivity for activity at certain times of day, comes in at least five distinct flavours, each with unique brain patterns, behavioural traits and health links.

The research team used advanced machine-learning methods to decode subtle variations in brain structure and connectivity, linking them to lifestyle, cognitive performance and clinical outcomes. Drawing on brain scans from 27,030 adults and validation in over 10,000 children, the study identifies five chronotype subtypes with distinct neurological and behavioural signatures.

This discovery challenges the centuries-old idea that chronotype is a simple spectrum from “morning lark” to “night owl.” Instead, the inner clock of each person may tick to a subtly unique tempo, a neurological fingerprint revealed by brain imaging and behavioural profiling.

Also read | Can you ‘bank sleep’ ahead of sleepless nights?

Rich brains, different rhythms

Rather than just early or late types, researchers identified five distinct chronotype subtypes using combined measures of brain grey matter volume, white matter integrity and functional connectivity. These weren’t arbitrary categories, they reflect underlying patterns in neural architecture that correlate with behaviour and health outcomes.

Five unique sleep subtypes

Night owl type 1: You’re happiest late at night, buzzing with ideas and sharp thinking. But you might find emotions harder to handle and slip into risky habits like scrolling phones or driving fast.

Night owl type 2: Nights are your playground; gaming, chilling, and staying up late come naturally. However, these habits can make exercise rare and might link to low mood or health concerns over time.

Also read | 6 expert-backed sleep tips to reduce stress and reset your body clock naturally

Night owl type 3: A strong evening person, often male-dominated, who likes intense activities and social nights. This style can come with extra stress on heart health, mood swings and higher risks linked to lifestyle habits.

Early bird type 1: Sunrise energises you. You wake early, rarely take risks, don’t smoke, drink little and overall tend to stay in good health. You may worry a bit more, but that keeps you organised.

Early bird type 2: You’re up with the sun but often feel low on energy. This group is more likely to see mood dips and other symptoms like hormonal changes, especially common in women.

FAQs on Sleep Types

1. What are the five distinct chronotypes identified in the study?

The study identifies five chronotypes: Night Owl Type 1, Night Owl Type 2, Night Owl Type 3, Early Bird Type 1, and Early Bird Type 2, each with unique brain patterns and behavioural traits.

2. What is the key difference between Night Owl Type 1 and Night Owl Type 2?

Night Owl Type 1 thrives on late-night activities and sharp thinking but may struggle with emotions and risky habits, while Night Owl Type 2 enjoys late nights but may face health concerns and low mood over time.

3. How do Early Bird Type 1 and Early Bird Type 2 differ in their morning routines?

Early Bird Type 1 is energised by sunrise, avoids risks, and maintains good health, while Early Bird Type 2 wakes early but often feels low on energy and may experience mood dips and hormonal changes.

4. What neurological features did researchers use to identify the chronotypes?

Researchers used brain grey matter volume, white matter integrity, and functional connectivity to identify the five distinct chronotypes.

5. Why is this new discovery about chronotypes significant?

This discovery challenges the simple spectrum of "morning lark" to "night owl," revealing that each person's inner clock ticks to a unique tempo with distinct neurological and behavioural signatures.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.