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While the reason given in the post is incorrect, the conclusion that women should prioritise good sleep for their health has some truth
Research from Duke University shows that poor sleep harms women’s health more than men’s, suggesting sleep is very important for women. (THIP Media)
An Instagram post claims that women need more sleep than men because they use their brains more often and their brains are more complex. We did the fact check and termed this claim as half true.
The Claim
According to an Instagram post, “Women need more sleep than men as they use their brains more often.”
Fact Check
Is it true that women use their brains more often than men?
No, it is not. There is no scientific evidence to support the notion that women inherently use their brains more often than men. Both genders use their brains throughout the day for various activities. While it’s true that multitasking can be demanding, studies do not show a gender-specific difference in brain usage frequency.
Are women’s brains more complex than men’s?
Maybe. Understanding if one gender’s brain is more complex is tricky. Research shows men and women’s brains have differences, like in the amount of grey matter or how different parts of the brain connect, but this doesn’t mean one is more complex than the other. A 2021 study found that when you account for brain size, the small differences in brain structure and behavior between men and women don’t suggest women’s brains are more complex. However, this study didn’t look at detailed brain regions or a wide variety of behaviors, so there’s more to learn.
Do women experience higher psychological distress from lack of sleep?
Yes, they may. Research, including from Duke University, indicates that women might experience higher levels of psychological distress, like depression, anger, and hostility, when sleep-deprived. This could be due to various factors, including hormonal changes or societal roles, but it’s not directly linked to brain complexity or usage.
We spoke with Dr Roma Kumar, Senior Consultant Psychologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital & Max Hospital, New Delhi, for her opinion on the psychological impact of poor sleep on women. She clarifies, “Yes, when women don’t get enough sleep, they tend to experience more intense feelings of stress, depression, or irritability. This is because sleep deprivation can amplify emotional responses, and for women, this might be exacerbated by hormonal changes and the various roles they juggle in daily life, making the lack of sleep particularly tough on their mental well-being.”
Do hormonal changes affect women’s sleep needs?
Yes. Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can impact sleep quality and quantity in women. Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone can influence sleep patterns, potentially leading to a greater need for sleep to recover from these changes. However, this is not because of brain usage but biological processes.
Dr Almas Fatma, MBBS, Diploma in Family Medicine, PG in Digital Health, General Physician from Navi Mumbai, says, “Hormonal fluctuations in women, particularly during times like menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, do influence their sleep requirements. These changes in hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone can lead to sleep disturbances, suggesting that women might require additional rest to cope with these shifts, but this is related to their hormonal cycles, not brain activity.”
Similarly, another claim about sleep suggests that sleeping on the right side can cause heart attacks. But this is false.
Do women multitask more, affecting their sleep needs?
Maybe. Women often report multitasking more due to societal expectations and roles, which could increase cognitive load. However, the direct link between multitasking and the need for more sleep is not strongly established in scientific literature. It’s more about stress and recovery from daily demands.
What does the actual study say?
The study from Duke University Medical Center, published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity, found that poor sleep quality has a more significant impact on women’s health compared to men’s. It highlighted that women with poor sleep show greater psychological distress and higher levels of biomarkers linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Notably, the study pointed out that the time it takes for women to fall asleep is particularly critical, with those taking over 30 minutes showing the worst health risk profiles. This suggests that while the post’s claim about brain usage might be unfounded, there is evidence that sleep issues can have more severe health implications for women.
THIP Media Take
The Instagram post claimed that women need more sleep because they use their brains more and they’re more complex, but there isn’t scientific proof for this, which would usually make it ‘Mostly False’. However, research from Duke University shows that poor sleep harms women’s health more than men’s, suggesting sleep is very important for women. While the reason given in the post is incorrect, the conclusion that women should prioritise good sleep for their health has some truth. Therefore, we’ve decided on ‘Half True‘.
This story was originally published by THIP Media, and republished by News18 as part of the Shakti Collective.
