Immunologist Professor Luke O’Neill discusses how genetics, age and gender determines whether you’re a morning person. 

Despite Benjamin Franklin’s insistence that “early to bed, early to rise, makes someone healthy, wealthy and wise”, many people are unable to get to sleep early, or get up. 

“There is evidence that you might be able to become a morning person,” Prof O’Neill told Show Me the Science. 

“It's called the science of cycadean rhythm... you’ve got a thing called a chronotype and either you're a night owl or a morning lark. 

“It turns out, it's a bell-shaped curve, so most people fit in the middle somewhere. 

“Somewhere down the extremes some are absolute night owls, wouldn't go to bed before two in the morning, and some are waking up at five in the morning.” 

Genetics of a morning person

A study with 50,000 participants found that those who rest in between the extremes of sleeping often change their behaviour across their life. 

“It turns out, it's 50% genetic,” he said. 

“So even though when you're a child, your parents are saying get up out of bed when you were lounging around as a teenager in bed, and your parents are influencing even more because they give you the gene variants that make you a morning lark or a night owl.” 

Other research into the connection between genetics, sleeping patterns and diseases demonstrated that there are certain genes, CLOCK, period-two and HSV1, will increase your chances of being a night owl. 

Ages of a night owl

Age also impacts whether you’re a morning person, as those aged up to 10 are most likely to rise and shine. 

“Studies show when you enter puberty, you become a night owl,” Prof O’Neill said. 

“The peak of this for males is at the age of 21 - Females are inclined to be slightly more of a lark and their peak is 19. 

“Statistically, as you get older, your chronotype shifts to be earlier and then by the time you're in your late 50s, early 60s, you're getting up at about the same time as you did just before puberty.” 

No matter your age, though, Sunday always a good day to get an early night.