Fascinating Science Shows Genetics May Determine How Much Sleep You Need

Comfort is key for achieving good sleep. Experimenting with different sleeping positions may help you find one that works best for you. Miramiska/Shutterstock

Many believe that sleep has always been critically important to humans, both as a resource and a pure enjoyment source.  Today, the gold standard for sleep is 8 hours per night.  That, the scientific community assures us, is enough to feel rested and stave off various diseases.