Night Owls Score Higher on Cognitive Tests. Multiple Studies. Same Result

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift · Feb 28, 2026 · 8m

Night owl and early bird brain differences run deeper than when you set your alarm. If you stay up late and always have, you are not one type of night owl, you are one of three. The first subtype has higher prefrontal cortex volume, faster reaction times, and better cognitive test scores. The second is the most vulnerable, showing strong links to depression and cardiovascular risk. And those results on cognitive ability are not one study. They are consistent across multiple studies.

Early birds split into two groups as well. The classical early bird has stable lifestyle markers, drinks less…