The difference, scientists say, is hormones — specifically, co’rtisol. In general, men are known to have higher levels of both cortisol and t3stosterone than women, but researchers found that night-owl ladies have just as much cortisol as men. And high cortisol levels tend to mean high metabolism, high energy, high cognitive function, and high arousability — all traits, the UChicago team suggests, that might cause the night owls to take more risks. Risks like not settling down, and also s3x. Lots of s3x.
As lead author Dario Maestripieri explains, the “night-owl trait” may actually have evolved to help our cavemen ancestors “facilitate short-term mating” outside of their committed relationships. Once the buffalo is hunted and the kids are in bed — that’s when the “social and mating opportunities” really begin. Or at least, that’s Maestripieri’s current hypothesis, supported by the fact that male night owls have twice as many s3x partners as gentleman early birds.
Pretty much, this is good news all around. Early birds tend to commit, and commitment is great. Night owls, meanwhile, tend to have a s3x with a bunch of different people — s3x, too, is great. Everyone dances to the beat of their own circadian rhythm! And if you’re a night owl and your partner is not, I don’t know, coffee?
