Dr Line Victoria Moen is investigating whether biphasic sleep can help shift workers mitigate the health risks of disrupted sleep cycles.
Dr Line Victoria Moen, a researcher at Norway's National Institute of Occupational Health, is studying how splitting sleep into two distinct blocks may benefit shift workers. While many people attempt to force one long stretch of sleep during the day, Moen's research suggests that "biphasic sleep"—a pattern common in pre-industrial times—may be a more natural rhythm for the human body. Shift work is often linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. The World Health Organization has even classified night shifts as "probably carcinogenic to humans." These issues arise because disrupted sleep interferes with the glymphatic system, which cleans waste from the brain, and alters the production of melatonin. Moen's study, which began with observations of shift workers in the Arctic Circle, aims to provide clear clinical guidelines. By analyzing 11,000 scientific papers, she seeks to determine if a planned afternoon nap can improve focus and safety for the millions of people who work while others sleep.