Working the Night Shift is Hazardous to Your Health

Now I know why I’m really here: I’m helping the other Gizmodo writers prevent heart disease, bone fractures, cancer, diabetes and a completely wonked up metabolism by working the night shift.

A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences now confirms previous theories that being on the night shift is actually an occupational hazard. The findings show that circadian disruption, when a person’s circadian rhythms split off from the regular day-night cycle, cause key metabolic hormones to act crazy.

For instance: When your body’s no longer sleeping when it thinks it should be, it stops producing as much leptin, a hormone that signals a body to stop eating. It also releases more cortisol, a stress hormone that’s been linked to high blood pressure and obesity.

So, other Gizmodo writers: When you wake up in the morning and take a long gander at your so-delightfully svelte selves before settling down to your day’s blogging routine, I want you to know: You’re welcome. [Wired]