In a groundbreaking new study, researchers from Imperial College London have discovered that night owls — people who naturally stay up late — tend to outperform early risers in key areas of cognitive functioning such as intelligence, reasoning, reaction time, and memory.
The research, published after analysing data from the UK Biobank, challenges the long-held belief that early risers are more productive or intellectually superior. By examining health and lifestyle data from over 26,000 adults, the scientists found that individuals who stay up late or fall into the “intermediate” category between morning and evening preferences performed better on a variety of mental tests compared to those who wake up early.
Dr. Bhavya Reddy, lead researcher from the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London, stated: “Our study clearly indicates that being a night owl is not detrimental to cognitive performance — in fact, it might be beneficial in many ways. Early risers consistently scored lower than other groups across several cognitive domains.”
Key Findings
Participants in the study were divided into three broad chronotype categories based on their sleep-wake preferences: morning larks, intermediates, and evening types (night owls). The team then analysed their performance in a range of cognitive tests that assessed reasoning skills, memory retention, processing speed, and reaction time.
The results revealed that night owls and intermediates scored significantly higher across all categories. In contrast, early risers — despite waking up early and often adhering to traditional workday schedules — showed the weakest cognitive performance on average.
Importantly, the study highlighted that the quality and quantity of sleep played a crucial role in brain function. The highest performing individuals across all chronotypes were those who reported getting between seven to nine hours of high-quality sleep per night, regardless of whether they went to bed early or late.
“This research shifts the narrative,” Dr. Reddy explained. “It’s not about when you wake up, but how well you sleep. Alarm clocks set for 5 a.m. don’t do your brain any favours if you’re cutting your rest short. Prioritising consistent, high-quality sleep is what really keeps the brain sharp.”
Implications for Work and Education
The findings could have far-reaching implications for workplace and educational structures, which are often geared toward morning chronotypes. With productivity standards and schedules typically based on early starts, night owls may find themselves disadvantaged — not because of their ability, but due to misaligned social expectations.
Dr. Reddy and the research team suggest that flexibility in work and school start times could help tap into the cognitive potential of night owls. “We need to acknowledge that people have different biological rhythms,” she said. “Customising work hours or learning environments to better suit individual chronotypes could unlock better performance and well-being.”
A Broader Look at Brain Health
The study also underscores the broader importance of sleep for mental acuity. Sleep duration and quality had a more pronounced effect on cognitive function than chronotype alone. Those who consistently failed to get enough rest scored lower on nearly every cognitive metric, regardless of whether they were early birds or night owls.
The researchers hope the findings encourage a rethinking of the “early to bed, early to rise” maxim. Instead, the focus should be on sleep hygiene — practices that support restful and sufficient sleep — tailored to each person’s natural rhythm.
Conclusion
The Imperial College study adds to growing evidence that night owls are not cognitively disadvantaged. On the contrary, their brains may function better in many key areas, provided they are well-rested. As the nature of work and learning evolves, incorporating flexible schedules that align with individual sleep patterns may not only improve performance but also promote healthier lifestyles.
Source:
Imperial College London, UK Biobank – https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/
