As adolescents around the world fall into later bedtimes, a growing amount of evidence indicates that this seemingly harmless habit might be more than a phase. In a recent study presented at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), teens who self-identify as "night owls" might be biologically wired for impulsive and even self-sabotaging behaviors—posting concern about teen mental health, sleep habits, and larger lifestyle risks.

Teenagers who enjoy staying up late and waking up late have a greater propensity for impulsiveness, especially when they are feeling bad, the research discovered. Conducted by Riya Mirchandaney, a doctoral student in clinical-health psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, the two studies involved 210 teens. Participants filled out questionnaires on sleep patterns, wore wrist monitors for a week, gave saliva samples to assess melatonin levels, and took tests of impulsivity.

Surprisingly, the research contradicts long-held beliefs regarding melatonin and circadian rhythm. Researchers did not detect a clear relationship between dim light melatonin onset—a standard marker of the body's internal clock—and impulsivity. Rather, the adolescents' self-stated tendency to want to stay up late was more closely linked to actions such as quitting tough tasks prematurely or acting aggressively when upset.

"Surprisingly, we didn't discover a strong association between dim light melatonin onset and impulsivity in our sample," Mirchandaney said. "This implies that there could be unmeasured psychological or behavior factors affecting both impulsivity and self-report circadian preference."

The consequences of these findings extend far beyond morning grumpiness and mood swings. Sleep is absolutely central to adolescent brain development, physical health, and emotional well-being. When teenagers fail to get the nightly 8–10 hours recommended for them, the radiating effects can reach into every aspect of their lives—crash through the classroom, directly into the emergency room.

Studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have emphasized over a long time now that adolescents who sleep fewer hours than they need are more likely to be involved in risky behaviors like drug use, unprotected sex, irresponsible driving, and even physical aggression. Sleep deprivation also impacts the prefrontal cortex—the area of the brain used for judgment and impulse control—meaning teenagers will be more likely to take risks without regard to consequences.

Why Are Teenagers Sleeping Late?

The move to the night owl timetable during adolescence is not solely a matter of behavior—it is also biological. As adolescents move into puberty, their circadian rhythms gradually change. Melatonin, the sleep-promoting hormone, starts to release later at night, so teens find it hard to go to bed early, even if they attempt to.

This internal adjustment conflicts with inflexible school bell times, usually having children get up between 6 and 7 a.m., much earlier than their body clock is geared for. This repeated misalignment over time results in what sleep researchers refer to as "social jetlag," a state that has been associated with heightened stress, depression, anxiety, and now, possibly, impulsivity.

There is well-documented, bidirectional association between sleep disturbances and mental illness. Adolescent poor sleepers are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Conversely, individuals with mental health difficulties tend to have more difficulty falling asleep and remaining asleep.

This cycle can form a deadly feedback loop: emotional turmoil creates sleep deprivation, which further worsens mental well-being. With impulsivity introduced into the mix, the concern becomes more profound. Impulsive choices made during periods of emotional unpredictability—most notably with the compounding effect of sleep loss—can have life-changing ramifications.

Physical Development and Risk of Chronic Illness

Sleep is necessary for the regulation of hormones, immune systems, muscle repair, and overall development—all vital in the teen years. Inadequate sleep has been associated with greater risk of chronic disease development, including Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The metabolic pattern of sleep-deprived adolescents, such as increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels, resembles that of adults headed toward chronic disease.

Are Teens Really Getting Enough Sleep?

The short answer: no. According to the CDC, approximately 70% of high school students in the United States do not get enough sleep on school nights. The numbers are even more troubling for girls, older teens, and students from Black, Asian, or multiracial backgrounds.

A combination of early school schedules, excessive academic and extracurricular demands, and digital device usage—often past midnight—makes consistent, high-quality sleep an elusive goal for most adolescents.

Role of Technology and Lifestyle Choices

Teenagers in the present day are more plugged in than ever. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops are frequently a never-ending companion—even in bed. The blue light from screens disrupts melatonin production, making sleep even later. Sleep cycles are disrupted by alerts and notifications, and the mental stimulation of social media can leave teenagers emotionally engaged well past bedtime.

At the same time, the pressure of balancing school, sports, a part-time job, and social life only fuels the fire. Teens often end up losing sleep in order to fulfill all their responsibilities without being aware of the mental and emotional impact that this has.

Begin with Awareness: Parents need to sit down with teens on a regular basis and discuss their sleeping patterns and changes in mood, concentration, or risky behavior.

Encourage Good Sleep Hygiene: Encourage regular sleep patterns, bedtime routines, bedroom screens-off, and soothing nighttime environments.

Support Policy Reform: Some research has demonstrated that later school start times enhance attendance, student performance, and lower teen automobile crashes. Parents can collaborate with school boards to advocate for healthier schedules.

Manage Expectations and Time: Assist teens in setting priorities and ensuring they're not too scheduled. A balanced life provides space for sleep.

Professional Help: If sleep disturbances are impacting a teenager's daily life, see a pediatrician or sleep specialist. Cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been promising in helping adolescents re-establish sleep habits.

The new revelations regarding night owls and impulsivity are just another piece of the puzzle for understanding adolescent sleep. It's not how many hours teens get to sleep that matters—it's when and under what conditions that they sleep.

California made it news for a disease that has no vaccination. This is the human metapneumovirus or the HMPV. While some of the symptoms of this virus are similar to that of any common cold or influenza like cough, fever, nasal congestion or shortness of breath, there are several symptoms that are unique to the disease.

Unique Symptoms Of HMPV - The Virus Without Vaccine

Unlike mild common colds, HMPV often presents with a high-grade fever, particularly in children. Some of the other symptoms also include persistent coughing, including dry or productive and may persist for a long duration.

Furthermore, it could cause wheezing, difficulty in breathing, which could also lead to severe lower respiratory tract illness like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. In children and older adults, it could also cause severe or often fatal bronchiolitis or rapid-onset pneumonia.

In infants, it could also exhibit irritability, poor feeding, or dehydration.

Other symptoms, which could resemble common cold like symptoms are:

• cough
• fever
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body ache
• headache

What Is Happening In California?

As per the public database WasterwaterScan Dashboard, high levels of HMPV were detected across Northern California cities. The highest levels were reported in Redwood City, whereas elevated levels were found in San Francisco Bay Area and Napa's Wine Country. What's more dangerous is that this virus is without a vaccine.

The good news is that in other parts of country HMPV remains lower. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that data from October 2025 shows the cases are trending up, especially during winter and spring.

Read: Virus Without Vaccine Hits California; No Need To Worry, Say Public Health Officials

Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, as reported by The Independent said, "In the late winter, early spring, it can account for five percent to 10 percent of all the respiratory infections that we diagnose in the United States. So it's definitely out there." Experts explain that other viruses like HMPV or influenza get a chance when COVID is quieter.

What Is HMPV - The Virus Without Vaccine?

HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

HMPV most likely spreads from an infected person to others through:

• the air by coughing and sneezing
• close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching objects or surfaces that have the viruses on them, then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes

In the US, HMPV circulates in predictable patterns each year, typically beginning in winter and lasting through spring.

Who Are At Risk Of HMPV?

People at risk include:

• elderly people
• children
• people with comorbidities

"The HMPV is not deadly, and there is no evidence of mortality or a severe transmission rate," former Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientist, Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, told IANS, during the virus's outbreak in India in 2025.

“The virus may cause pneumonitis-like illness, but the mortality rates are almost unknown so far. HMPV has a global prevalence of about 4 per cent,” he added.

Smoking has been long recognized as one of the worst habits a person can have, and Dr Jeremy London agrees with this statement. Dr. London, a cardiovascular surgeon, in a recent interview with Mel Robbins revealed that his number one advice as a heart doctor is to avoid smoking.

“I cannot come up with one single thing that does as much damage to every organ in the body as smoking cigarettes. And look, it's incredibly addictive and I know that and I pass no judgment because I know how difficult it is.”

He explained that in his practice he has dealt with chronic smokers for years and still believed that it is the single most dangerous thing one can do to themselves.

Also Read: Why Is It Harder For Women To Quit Smoking?

How Does Smoking Affect Other Organs?

Emphasizing how this one habit affects all organs in our body, Dr London mentioned the well-known link between lung cancer and smoking.

However, there are many more chronic diseases associated with the rest of the body that can develop due to smoking apart from lung conditions, according to the American Lung Association.

Here is what you should keep an eye out for:

Heart Disease

Also Read: 3 Science-Backed Methods To Quit Smoking For Good

Asthma

Reproductive Health

Vision Loss

Lung Cancer

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all cases. Although medical treatments have improved, the five-year survival rate remains low. Quitting is the most effective way to lower your risk of this deadly disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Other Cancers

Fasting for three hours before bed can significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as other chronic conditions, an Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology study suggests.

While many believe that diet plans such as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating can help reduce their weight, researchers at Northwestern University have found that not eating three hours before going to sleep can reduce overnight blood pressure by nearly four percent, heart rate by five percent and strengthen overall heart rhythms.

This can help reduce overall strain on the heart which lowers risks for conditions like hypertension and CAD. Additionally, the scientists also discovered a drop in blood sugar levels, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

Participants who underwent glucose tests also showed better insulin release which tend to stabilize during the day. Additionally, an improved heart rate also lowered nighttime cortisol, which helped in metabolic balance.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine and chief of sleep medicine in the department of neurology at Feinberg and corresponding author said of the results: "It's not only how much and what you eat, but also when you eat relative to sleep that is important for the physiological benefits of time-restricted eating."

The study authors also noted: "Extending overnight fasting duration by three hours in alignment with sleep improved cardiometabolic health in middle-aged/older adults by strengthening coordination between circadian- and sleep-regulated autonomic and metabolic activity.

"This sleep-aligned time-restricted eating approach represents a novel, accessible lifestyle intervention with promising potential for improving cardiometabolic function."

Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent Killer

Despite being as a common heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD) develops over years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack. The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Treatment options may include medicines and surgery. Eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking can help also prevent CAD and the conditions that can cause it.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

Strokes: A Rising Crisis In India

One in seven stroke patients in India are young adults aged below 45 years, with hypertension leading as the major risk factor, according to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 identified hypertension, air pollution, tobacco smoking, high cholesterol, increased salt intake, and diabetes as the leading risk factors of stroke.

Incidence of stroke is increasing significantly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in India, due to population growth, aging, and greater exposure to risk factors.