Night owls could soon turn their late-night habits into extra cash as a new sleep study is looking for people who go to bed after midnight.
The Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts is recruiting participants for a new research study examining how bedtime schedules affect sleep and overall health—and those who qualify could earn up to $600.
The research, conducted in partnership with Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, is seeking adults aged 18 to 65 who typically go to bed after midnight and are non-smokers.
Participants will complete a three to four week screening process, followed by at least 35 days of at-home sleep medication use and daily logging.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital has been at the forefront of sleep and circadian rhythm research for nearly a century.
In 1929, researchers at the hospital were the first to identify the region of the brain responsible for regulating sleep timing, often referred to as the body’s “master clock.”
More recently, scientists at the hospital discovered how light can reset the body’s internal clock and determined the natural length of our daily sleep–wake cycle.
Today, the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, jointly sponsored by the Departments of Medicine and Neurology, continues this legacy through cutting-edge research.
Newsweek reached out to the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders via email for comment.
How Much Sleep Do Americans Get?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020 about 33.2 percent of U.S. adults reported getting less than 7 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
Another CDC report says in the same year around 14.5 percent of adults “had trouble falling asleep most days or every day” and 17.8 percent “had trouble staying asleep most days or every day.” In a 2024 survey by Talker Research, only 25 percent of U.S. adults said that they strongly agreed with the statement “I’m getting enough sleep on a daily basis.”
Getting enough sleep is an essential step toward health and emotional wellbeing. The CDC recommends that adults get 7 or more hours of sleep every night.
People who get enough sleep get sick less often, are more likely to stay at a healthy weight, have reduced stress and improved mood and are at lower risk of chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
What The Study Involves
The current study aims to better understand how an investigational sleep medication might help those who struggle to fall asleep before midnight.
The screening and monitoring period includes detailed sleep tracking, medication adherence and periodic check-ins with researchers.
In a call-out for participants, the team said that participants may receive up to $600 in compensation for completing the study.
Anyone interested in taking part in the study should contact 617-525-8657 or email bwhdspd@partners.org.
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