Pregnancy affects a woman’s body in many different ways. According to OASH, office on women’s health, it changes your digestive system and can cause indigestion as well as heartburn. Pregnant women also complain about being dizzy and lightheaded, but that is not all! Apart from physiological changes, it also affects their mental health in many different ways. According to a study published in Cureus 2022, depression and anxiety are the most common issues. Other changes include relationship difficulties, work-life imbalances, and underlying physiological disorders. Despite the traditional view of pregnancy as a joyous time, mental health concerns can arise at any stage. But is this because they had these issues before, which later got amplified, or has something changed in their brains?

Scientists have discovered that changes in a woman’s brain during pregnancy might explain why some women feel very sad or anxious after having a baby, a condition known as postpartum depression. A study published in the Science Advances focused on how the brain’s structure changes and found that women who showed signs of depression after giving birth had a noticeable increase in the size of two important brain areas. These areas, the amygdala and the hippocampus, play crucial roles in how we handle emotions and stress. This is a significant step in understanding why some women struggle with their mental health after childbirth and opens doors for finding ways to help them.

How Did They Find Out The Changes?

To understand these brain changes, researchers followed 88 women who were pregnant for the first time. None of these women had experienced depression or other mental health issues before. The scientists took pictures of their brains using a special machine, first during the last three months of pregnancy, and then again about a month after they gave birth. They compared these pictures to those of 30 women who were not pregnant. What they found was that women who had symptoms of postpartum depression had larger amygdalae in their brains. Also, those who described their childbirth as stressful had bigger hippocampi. This helped show how brain changes might be connected to how a woman feels after giving birth.

What Are Some Other Factors That Affect Their Brain Health?

The study also showed that even if a baby’s delivery goes smoothly from a medical standpoint, if the mother feels stressed or upset during the process, it can still affect her brain. This feeling of stress can come from things like feeling ignored or dismissed by the people helping with the birth. It's not just about the physical act of giving birth; the emotional experience matters too. This idea is supported by past research that has shown that when women have a negative experience giving birth, they are more likely to feel depressed afterward. So, the feelings and emotions during childbirth can have a real and measurable impact on a woman’s brain and mental health.

Experts are now trying to figure out if the changes in the brain cause postpartum depression, or if the depression itself causes the brain to change. They want to know which parts of the brain are most likely to change during pregnancy and after giving birth. Scientists hope to find out what is considered a "normal" amount of change in the brain, and why certain areas might be more affected than others. Ultimately, they want to develop ways to help women early on, especially those who are more likely to experience postpartum depression. By understanding these brain changes, doctors and researchers can work towards finding better ways to support women’s mental health during and after pregnancy.

I’ve never needed much sleep to feel refreshed. While most of my friends groan without their full 8 hours and reach for coffee before conversations, I’ve always felt perfectly fine—sometimes even better—after just four or five hours of shut-eye.

For years, I had thought that I was merely the "odd one out," a person with an offbeat sleeping pattern always harming my body maybe but now it appears, there could be a genetic explanation for why individuals like myself are programmed this way. Scientists found a rare gene mutation in a gene known as SIK3 that enables some of us to function just fine on less sleep. No drowsiness. No foggy brain. No side effects.

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem superhuman on minimal sleep, or secretly hoped there was a way to train your body to do the same, this discovery might just hold the answers. Let’s explore what makes natural short sleepers tick—and whether this sleep “superpower” is something the rest of us can unlock too.

For years, sleep specialists have repeated the same mantra: adults require a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night to maintain mental acuity, immune function, and cardiovascular health. Long-term sleep deprivation has long been associated with higher risks of obesity, Alzheimer's disease, high blood pressure, and even premature death. But what if some people are genetically predisposed to perform best on only four hours of sleep?

Recent scientific studies have put this astounding phenomenon under the limelight with a stunning finding: an exceptional gene mutation, SIK3-N783Y, that makes some individuals what scientists have coined as natural short sleepers.

Who Are These Super Sleepers?

A natural short sleeper (NSS) is one who sleeps four to six hours every night but wakes up feeling refreshed and ready to go—without the help of coffee or the typical symptoms of sleep deprivation. They are not sleep-deprived; their bodies simply need less sleep than others.

This fascinating sleep pattern has puzzled scientists for decades, but thanks to a recent study by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the enigma is starting to lift. Their results, which were published in a peer-reviewed journal, indicate a rare gene mutation in the salt-induced kinase 3 (SIK3) gene.

Can You Really Survive—and Thrive on Just 4 Hours of Sleep?

The scientists discovered that the N783Y mutation in the SIK3 gene alters the SIK3 protein structure. This alteration affects the protein's function to transfer phosphate molecules, an essential component of the chemical signaling that governs our internal sleep-wake cycles.

In order to better analyze this effect, researchers created genetically modified mice that had the same mutation. Such mice slept around 30 minutes less per night than regular mice, and even less when deprived of sleep. Surprisingly, these differences weren't associated with the amount of proteins in the brain—but rather, with the way the proteins worked.

Furthermore, mutant mice had higher delta wave activity on EEG readings—a sign of deep, restorative sleep. This reinforces the theory that the mutation doesn't merely cut short sleep, it makes it more effective.

This is not the first time that scientists have associated genetics with sleep duration. Several years back, one mother and daughter who claimed to require just six hours of sleep at night without ever getting tired were discovered to carry a mutation in a gene linked with the circadian clock, our internal sleep- timing mechanism.

So far, scientists have discovered at least five mutations in four genes that affect sleep duration. But the newly found SIK3 mutation is particularly intriguing because it directly affects biochemical pathways that can now be targeted in the future development of drugs.

How Does this Gene Affect Sleep Medicine?

The applications of this research are vast. By knowing what enables natural short sleepers to feel rested on less time, researchers can start working on the development of treatments to improve sleep quality—not by lengthening time, but by increasing the efficacy of the hours we do spend sleeping.

"This discovery deepens our knowledge of the genetic basis of sleep," researchers said, highlighting the mutation's promise in leading to precision sleep medicine—focused treatments that modify sleep regulation systems at the molecular level.

Natural Short Sleep vs. Sleep Deprivation

Natural short sleep is a genetically controlled, rare condition in which people perform best with only 4–6 hours of sleep. In contrast to sleep-deprived individuals, they rise feeling rested, with no hint of exhaustion or mental slowness. This is not about "toughing it out" on fewer z's—it's simply the way their bodies are biologically programmed to require less. Sleep deprivation has an impact on mood, memory, immunity, and cardiovascular health. Long-term sleep deprivation has been known to increase disease risks like Alzheimer's or cardiovascular disease. Thus, when natural short sleepers are prospering, the rest of us should not try to replicate their sleep.

Why Most People Still Need 7 to 9 Hours of Sleep?

Most people still require 7 to 9 hours of sleep because it maintains critical functions such as memory consolidation, emotion regulation, immune function, and cell repair. Sleep removes toxins from the brain and re-sets the body's biological clocks for the day ahead. Sleeping less than required on a regular basis can hamper concentration, decision-making, and metabolism and result in long-term dangers including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Although a small group of people have a genetic mutation that enables them to survive on less sleep, the rest of us are not so hardwired and require sufficient sleep to maintain physical, mental, and emotional health.

Why You Shouldn't Deprive Yourself of Sleep?

Before you begin reducing your sleep time, it's important to observe, natural short sleep is different from sleep deprivation. The majority of us cannot just train ourselves to be short sleepers. For most people, trying to sleep just four hours a night results in cognitive impairments, memory loss, compromised immunity, and long-term health problems.

Rather than copying the sleep habits of the genetically fortunate few, experts advise taking efforts at sleep hygiene:

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
• Avoid caffeine and heavy meals in the evening.
• Make the sleeping environment cool, dark, and quiet.
• Limit screen use before bedtime.
• Deal with stress through meditation or journaling.

While the discovery of the SIK3-N783Y mutation may not mean much for your sleep schedule today, it opens exciting doors for future treatments and a deeper understanding of how our bodies regulate rest. It also highlights the fascinating diversity of human biology—some people are literally wired to need less sleep, and now, we’re beginning to understand why.

So, if you wake up feeling great on only a few hours of sleep each night, science may one day validate that you're one of a select, genetically privileged few. In the meantime, shoot for that 7-9 hour mark your body and mind will appreciate it.

Mandy Geyman, a mom and an influencer on Instagram, who goes by @warriormamamandy with 4k followers has posted a video revealing a rare type of breast cancer that she was diagnosed with while she was pregnant with her child.

She revealed that one day she got out of a shower and noticed a rash on her breasts. When she asked her OB/GYN, she was told that maybe it could have been an infection or that her milk ducts were clogged, so it was leaking. She was then prescribed antibiotic, however, it did not stop the rash. She continued the antibiotics for a total of three weeks, but things got worse, her skin started to look scaly.

When she again went for a check-up, she was asked to get a biopsy done, which revealed that she had a rare type of breast cancer, called inflammatory breast cancer. She was told that it is an aggressive form of breast cancer and that she would have to undergo chemo while she is pregnant.

She revealed that she underwent chemotherapy 13 times while she was pregnant and the child was growing inside her. While the baby was born healthy, she was suggested to undergo mastectomy, which was one of the toughest decision, as she had a baby to breast feed. She was then suggested to go through radiation and finally told to get her ovaries removed, because her cancer was fueled by hormones. This has led to early menopause, and so she revealed that she is now undergoing menopause symptoms at 33, including hot flashes.

What Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

As per the BreastCancer.org inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and fast-growing form of invasive breast cancer that differs significantly in its symptoms and treatment from more common types.

While it usually begins in the milk ducts—like many breast cancers—it doesn’t typically form a lump. Instead, cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, causing redness, swelling, and inflammation that give the disease its name.

IBC is uncommon, accounting for just 1% to 5% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute. A 2020 study found that 20% to 40% of IBC cases are triple-negative, meaning they lack estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors—making them more challenging to treat.

Common symptoms of IBC include:

• Swelling, heaviness, or a thickened feeling in the breast
• Redness, warmth, or rash-like appearance
• Skin changes such as dimpling or pitting, resembling an orange peel
• Breast discoloration (red, pink, or bruised)
• Welts, hives, or visible skin changes
• Flattened or inverted nipple
• Pain, tenderness, burning, or itching in the breast
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone

If you notice sudden changes in your breast’s appearance or texture, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly, as IBC can progress rapidly.

If boosting your endurance at the gym, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing sexual performance are on your health agenda, you might be considering nitric oxide supplements. Nitric oxide is produced naturally by the human body and is one of the most important molecules for blood vessel health. However, some people may need supplements. But do they actually deliver on these promises?

What Is Nitric Oxide?

Nitric oxide is a gas that acts as a vasodilator, meaning it helps to widen blood vessels and improve blood flow. According to health experts, nitric oxide is synthesised from L-arginine, an essential amino acid. This process facilitates blood flow, enabling the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients more effectively to muscles during exercise.

Nitric oxide's vasodilating properties have made it popular among those seeking to boost fitness performance. During exercise, nitric oxide helps open up small blood vessels and capillaries that typically remain dormant. This increase in blood flow can potentially support muscle function and endurance.

But Should You Take Nitric Oxide Supplements?

Nitric oxide supplements often don't contain the gas itself but instead include precursors like L-arginine and L-citrulline. These compounds provide the body with the building blocks for nitric oxide production, Marco Anzures, M.S., an exercise science instructor at San Diego City College told a leading news organisation. Despite their popularity, research on their effectiveness is mixed.

Some studies indicate that L-arginine may improve exercise performance in untrained or moderately trained individuals but shows minimal benefit for those already highly trained. Additionally, L-citrulline has been linked to reduced muscle soreness and improved aerobic performance in smaller studies.

Potential Benefits And Risks

Nitric oxide supplements may also help with blood pressure management due to their vasodilating effects. For those with high blood pressure, these supplements could support cardiovascular health by enhancing blood flow. Moreover, increased blood flow may aid in addressing erectile dysfunction by improving circulation to the genital area.

However, Anzures warns that the evidence supporting nitric oxide supplements for heart health, exercise performance, and sexual function is inconclusive. “There is some evidence to suggest supplementation helps with endurance, but not overall performance,” he notes.

The supplements are generally considered safe when taken in moderation, but side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and headaches can occur. Excessive intake may lead to severe drops in blood pressure, which could be dangerous for people with pre-existing conditions like heart disease or liver cirrhosis.

Natural Sources Of Nitric Oxide

Experts recommend focusing on dietary sources of nitric oxide rather than supplements. Foods rich in L-arginine and L-citrulline include legumes, nuts, seeds, and red meat. Vegetables such as beets and leafy greens are also excellent sources, with studies showing that beetroot juice may enhance athletic performance and cardiovascular health.

According to Natalie Rizzo, M.S., R.D., a dietitian based in New York City, "A proper diet can provide the necessary nutrients to support nitric oxide production without the potential risks associated with supplements."

Bottom LineWhile nitric oxide supplements may hold some potential for enhancing exercise performance, reducing blood pressure, and supporting sexual health, the evidence is mixed, and the risks should not be overlooked. Consulting a healthcare provider before starting any supplement is advisable, especially for those with underlying health conditions.