Sleep duration and cognition: is there an ideal amount?

This study explores the link between sleep duration and cognition, finding a "Goldilocks" relationship where too little or too much habitual sleep negatively impacts cognitive functions such as reasoning and verbal abilities. Participants' optimal sleep was around 7–8 hours per night, aligning with earlier findings. A single night of extended sleep improved performance, but extreme deviations—either more or less sleep—reduced cognitive efficacy. This highlights the importance of consistent, moderate sleep durations for brain health and optimal cognitive functioning.

To enhance cognitive health, aim for 7–8 hours of sleep nightly, as this supports reasoning, verbal skills, and overall brain function. While one extended night can temporarily boost cognition, chronic deviations (too much or too little sleep) may harm long-term cognitive performance. This advice is based on observational findings from a large sample but underscores the need for personalized approaches, as individual differences play a role.