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There Is No Link Between Insomnia and Early Death, Study Finds (bbc.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the music-to-my-ears dept.

A new report published in the journal Science Direct says there is no link between insomnia and early death. The researchers reportedly "reviewed 17 studies, which covered close to 37 million people, to compile their results," the BBC notes. From the report: This new report goes against what the NHS says, which claims that as well as putting people at risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, that insomnia shortens life expectancy. The NHS recommends things like exercising to tire yourself out during the day and cutting down on caffeine. It also says smoking, eating too much or drinking alcohol late at night can stop you from sleeping well. Other recommendations include writing a list of things that are playing on your mind and trying to get to bed at a similar time every night. "There was no difference in the odds of mortality for those individuals with symptoms of insomnia when compared to those without symptoms," the study says. "This finding was echoed in the assessment of the rate of mortality in those with and without symptoms of insomnia using the outcomes of multivariate models, with the most complete adjustment for potential confounders, as reported by the individual studies included in this meta-analysis. Additional analyses revealed a tendency for an increased risk of mortality associated with hypnotic use."

58 comments

  1. "Researching" other people's research is so meta.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... that it is completely useless.

  2. Thank god..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I was up all night worrying about that

  3. Dementia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sure, you won't die. You'll just go crazy.

    1. Re:Dementia by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 1

      After 3 months without a minute sleeping, you probably want to kill yourself.

      --
      Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
    2. Re: Dementia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Provided you are still alive, you'd likely be so demented that you'd be unable to by then.

    3. Re:Dementia by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

      Sure, you won't die. You'll just go crazy.

      Today, that gives you an advantage on social media.

    4. Re:Dementia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A person who truly isn't sleeping at all will last maybe 2 weeks before the toxic sludge build up in the brain proves fatal. And that assumes that you don't fall asleep behind the wheel or make some sort of careless, but fatal, mistake of some other sort.

  4. A punctualization by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If anything, what they can claim is that they have been unable to find such a link. An altogether different assertion.

    1. Re:A punctualization by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This week.

    2. Re:A punctualization by Aighearach · · Score: 4, Informative

      That isn't how numbers work.

      When you're looking for some thing, and you don't know if you find it or not, then you either found it, or were unable to find it.

      For example, I dig a hole in the ground hoping to find a dinosaur bone; I either found it, or didn't find it. And I don't know if there are any dinosaur bones nearby. But if I dig up the whole valley, and sift all the dirt down to bedrock, then I know (with some high degree of certainty below infinity) that there are no dinosaur bones in the dirt layer of that valley.

      They looked at 17 studies covering close to 37 million people. They weren't simply "unable to find" a link; they found that any such link is likely smaller than some tiny value. (while still more than 1/infinity)

      And note that doesn't mean that sleep isn't important to health; it just means that insomnia itself is not a risk factor for death. Is insomnia simply lack of sleep? No.

    3. Re:A punctualization by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Irrelevant! APK's hosts file engine is far more important than this drivel.

      Want to lose sleep? Continue browsing without his software. Want peace of mind? Use it!

      APK is here to save the day. Say your prayers that he chose to help you.

      ALL HAIL APK

    4. Re: A punctualization by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I haven't looked at the study, but yes, it is possible to use statistics to rule out causal relationships at some stated level of confidence. IAADS

    5. Re:A punctualization by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or as mainstream media would headline it "Insomnia Could Lead To Early Death".

  5. No link... by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    It just FEELS like you are dead.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:No link... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, to be fair, it did say it shortens life expectancy, not that it shortens your actual life. :)

    2. Re:No link... by nospam007 · · Score: 1

      "It just FEELS like you are dead."

      You WISH you were dead, so that you can finally sleep.

  6. FFI - I'll just leave this here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I would disagree.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_insomnia

    1. Re: FFI - I'll just leave this here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That insomnia is caused by a prion, which may also cause death. The insomnia is just a symptom of the prion infection.

  7. Thank God... by Tulsa_Time · · Score: 1

    Now I can get some sleep.....

    --
    5 out of 6 people enjoy Russian Roulette & 6 out of 7 Dwarfs are not Happy
  8. Ah, crud. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Welp, looks like I'm going to live a long and sleepless life.

    1. Re: Ah, crud. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      All the more time to research sleep or get a security blanket

  9. Bugger by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is there no way for this sleepless misery to end! That was my only hope a early death.

    1. Re: Bugger by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ding ding ding!

  10. Paid Participants by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This will always be low because they are lying about the participants, but what did they pay them?

    They think that's a factor, so now that this has been proven will they pay or does the world think it is a good thing to try to test things they thought killed on the poor rather than pay people for it?

  11. Re:"Researching" other people's research is so met by alvinrod · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Systematic literature reviews are actually the most useful ways of analyzing some hypothesis. Consolidating results and looking at the entire body of science is what needs to be done. It's certainly possible that they can draw the wrong conclusion, but it's much less likely than any individual study. Any one study might have been badly designed or have an outcome due to chance, but combining the results from multiple studies reduces the likelihood of such errors.

  12. But what about JVM usage and early death by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Based on the category icons I was hoping to see a link between JVM usage and early death, but the study disappoints.

  13. Re:IMPERSONATING ME AGAIN? apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    APK
    GO the fuck AWAY!

    (everybody join in the chanting!)

    APK
    GO the fuck AWAY!

    APK
    GO the fuck AWAY!

    APK
    GO the fuck AWAY!

    APK
    GO the fuck AWAY!

    You don't comment on the topics, you don't contribute anything to the discussion, you're not even interesting. You're just ANNOYING

    GO THE FUCK AWAY

  14. Hypnotic use by Camel+Pilot · · Score: 2

    Additional analyses revealed a tendency for an increased risk of mortality associated with hypnotic use.

    This confirms prior studies that have shown 3 times increase risk of mortality with as little as 18 pills/year of Ambien.

    https://bmjopen.bmj.com/conten...

  15. Dodged that bullet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Phew. I'll drink to that.

  16. Not surprising by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Insomnia mostly affects mental health, not physical. I wouldn't be surprised if sleep was only needed by the brain and not the body. Biologically, it doesn't make sense for it to be needed by other organs.

    1. Re:Not surprising by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The main point of sleep is that it keeps you paralyzed while the memory gets maintained and pruned. It's also when the neurons shrink in order to allow the toxic chemicals that build up in the brain to flush out of there.

      Most of the other organs probably benefit somewhat from the reduced metabolic rate and just not being on your feet though.

  17. Now I Really CAN Sleep When I'm Dead... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    n/t

  18. The study in invalid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The study is flawed beyond believe !!

    Untold millions and millions of insomniacs died early, way before they could be counted in those studies.

    1. Re:The study in invalid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Untold millions and millions of insomniacs died early, way before they could be counted in those studies.

      A lot of people die early for all sorts of reasons.

      Just because an insomniac died of cancer or an heart attack at the age of 60 doesn't mean that the insomnia had anything to do with it.

    2. Re:The study in invalid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes and in many of those cases the insomnia may have played an indirect role. Meaning that it might have led to being obese that led to the problem. Solving the obesity without solving the insomnia would have delayed the death to a more natural age.

      And at any rate those sorts of things are difficult to put down to insomnia specifically.

  19. Improper Advice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    recommends things like exercising to tire yourself out during the day

    A good workout leading to a well night's rest is a placebo effect. There are studies demonstrating this and it has been known for some time.

  20. Delayed sleep phase disorder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Common "insomnia" might not cause early death, but delayed sleep phase disorder + job forcing you to work unnatural (for YOU) hours that results in lifelong chronic sleep deprivation most certainly IS linked to early death.

  21. Sleep is only to rest arms and legs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    no other parts of your system need sleep. Which of course is bullshit. Anyone who has jumped out of bed after 4 hours of sleep a few days in a row will know how frail and fucked up you feel. If that carries on for months or years...

  22. Bang for the buck by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Science not gettibg the bang for its buck

  23. he never contributed anything by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hey hey APK. How many bitcoin you mine today.

  24. Re:IMPERSONATING ME AGAIN? apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Liar! APK is the only valid topic. His work rises above and beyond everything else.

    Bow to him!

  25. Who knew? by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1
    People go on mental benders all the time. The "not enough sleep" business is one of them. But that has about run it's course.

    Watching a bit of television, I can assure everyone that the present mental bender is obsessing about how often you shit.

    --
    The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  26. Now maybe people will shut up by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1
    I sleep between 4 and 5 hours a night. And I take a lot of guff for that. Lectures on how I'm killing myself, blah blah, blah.

    I go to sleep when I'm sleepy, and wake up when I've had enough sleep. Seems simple to me. Who knew? That has to be lot better than lying in bed all upset because you aren't asleep, or drugging yourself to be "healthy".

    Now I do know what sleep deprivation feels like - less than 4 hours, and I feel similar to jet lag - do not like.

    But there seems to be a sort of public fad that people latch onto regarding silly stuff. Sleep is/was one. The big fad at present is obsessing about how often one poops.

    As far as health hazards, I'd bet my bottom dollar that stressing out about how much sleep you get is a lot more destructive than the specific number of hours that some expert has determined is enough.

    Which is all to ask - if you wake up feeling rested after 4 hours, are you an insomniac? I feel zero stress about my sleeping habits.

    --
    The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    1. Re:Now maybe people will shut up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      TBH, there's a ton of bullshit about how much sleep to get. At the end of the day, if you're waking up naturally and feeling rested and productive through the day, you're probably getting the right amount of sleep for you.

      4-5 hours a night is on the low end, but it's not necessarily unreasonable.

    2. Re:Now maybe people will shut up by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      TBH, there's a ton of bullshit about how much sleep to get. At the end of the day, if you're waking up naturally and feeling rested and productive through the day, you're probably getting the right amount of sleep for you.

      4-5 hours a night is on the low end, but it's not necessarily unreasonable.

      That's what I always thought. I don't even use an alarm clock. I've had people bitch at me about it to the point I've asked if I should drug myself to get the amount of sleep that they dictate I need.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    3. Re:Now maybe people will shut up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >if you wake up feeling rested after 4 hours, are you an insomniac?

      No.

      It's not about number of hours of sleep.

      Insomnia is when you wake up every fucking day with that "jet-lag"

      Nothing nice.

    4. Re:Now maybe people will shut up by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      >if you wake up feeling rested after 4 hours, are you an insomniac?

      No.

      It's not about number of hours of sleep.

      Insomnia is when you wake up every fucking day with that "jet-lag"

      Nothing nice.

      Exactly. But I've taken shit most of my adult life for my sleeping habits. I note that many of those same people stress over whether they are getting enouigh sleep, taking enough probiotics, and laxatives, and vitamins, and other Corporate Medication BS.

      It's like neurotic people running things.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    5. Re:Now maybe people will shut up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I sleep between 4 and 5 hours a night. And I take a lot of guff for that. Lectures on how I'm killing myself, blah blah, blah.

      Do these conversations where you receive all this criticism start with you boasting that you only need 4 hours of sleep a night?

      Because I'm not convinced that people are breaking in to your house, sleep studying you, and then lecturing you. I think it's more likely that you're annoying them into doing so.

    6. Re:Now maybe people will shut up by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      I sleep between 4 and 5 hours a night. And I take a lot of guff for that. Lectures on how I'm killing myself, blah blah, blah.

      Do these conversations where you receive all this criticism start with you boasting that you only need 4 hours of sleep a night?

      Because I'm not convinced that people are breaking in to your house, sleep studying you, and then lecturing you. I think it's more likely that you're annoying them into doing so.

      No, they start by people talking about how they can't function without their minimum 8, or how they have to drug themselves in order to get a healthy amount of sleep, or how they are really concerned that they only got 6 hours of sleep a night for a week, and are planning on seeing a doctor to find out what is wrong with them. Its merely conversation among people. I might be asked how much I get, because they notice I'm in really early at times, or I just might note it during the conversation.

      I could really care less about the specifics of how much time I spend sleeping. I do find it annoying when I either get a lecture, or the tack that you take, that I am for some reason boasting. Any concept of that is jealousy on their part. It is just what it is. 4 to 6 hours a night. Its no big deal, and it isn't unhealthy.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  27. Is this supposed to make me sleep better? by No+Longer+an+AC · · Score: 1

    Because I suffer from insomnia, not fear of early death!

    I'm drinking heartbreak motor oil and Bombay gin
    I'll sleep when I'm dead
    Straight from the bottle, twisted again
    I'll sleep when I'm dead

    Well, I take this medicine as prescribed
    I'll sleep when I'm dead
    It don't matter if I get a little tired
    I'll sleep when I'm dead

    - Warren Zevon

  28. Looking forward to the next claim by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Nov 17 2023: Turns Out Insomnia and Early Death Were Linked After All"
    "Nov 18 2023: Ten Reasons Why You Should Be Afraid of Insomnia"

  29. Severe insomnia still linked to by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    praying for death.

  30. IMPERSONATING ME AGAIN? apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Zach Paterson/ZIP + c6gunner 'Greatest Hits': "I'm a much better programmer than APK" - by Anonymous Coward ZIP on Monday October 08, 2018 @11:27PM (#57449082)

    BIG TALK - ZIP has no programs to show as proof.

    I do https://news.slashdot.org/comm...

    (From registered /.ers liking/using/praising my work + 100k users worldwide)

    ZIP tried to take credit for what I solved before him https://tech.slashdot.org/comm...

    He codes? He can't EVEN READ!

    I show 2 ways to do it YOURSELF https://tech.slashdot.org/comm... - he can't.

    Delphi/FreePascal/ObjectPascal HAS no null-term'd string bufferoverflows https://developers.slashdot.or... - C does, C++ can UNLESS you do what I said 1st.

    He likes CODE SIGNING (it's been STOLEN & ABUSED) https://www.helpnetsecurity.co...

    MY METHOD CAN'T BE (upmodded +2 INTERESTING in CODING FOR DEFCON) https://it.slashdot.org/commen...

    ZIP says he has no /. acct "I don't have an account so I don't have mod points" https://news.slashdot.org/comm...

    Yet ZIP says he downmods me (IMPOSSIBLE w/ no /. acct.): "I down-modded a few of your post" - by Anonymous Coward "ZIP" on Thursday October 11, 2018 @11:31AM (#57461058)

    APK

    P.S.=> KEEP IMPERSONATING ME like https://science.slashdot.org/c... (I'd never say that OR bitch to do-NOTHING "ne'er-do-wells" like ZIP OR c6gunner https://linux.slashdot.org/com... (he 1st mocked me & impersonated me TWISTING /.ers words & after I FAIRLY challenged him to show HE DID BETTER & that was his response (weak))!

    Above EXPOSES your BLOWHARD incompetence... apk

  31. An early death ... by allo · · Score: 1

    An early death can spare you many sleepless nights.