A neurology expert has shattered the popular belief that rising with the dawn is the ultimate strategy for optimum health.

Everyone has unique schedules, job demands and personal goals shaping how they allocate their time. Early risers may find satisfaction in completing tasks or fitting in a workout before daylight, while others value extra sleep and tackle their responsibilities later.

Not all successful people adhere to early morning rituals. In fact, many renowned creatives and thinkers are known for burning the midnight oil.

Successful stars like pop sensation Lady Gaga and iconic crooner Bob Dylan are night owls – and have demonstrated productivity doesn’t exclusively belong to daybreak.

Even high-profile leaders like Britain’s wartime hero Winston Churchill reportedly found their stride under the cloak of night.

In contrast, heavyweights such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, allegedly rises between the ungodly hours of 4am and 5am, joining the ranks of early birds alongside Michelle Obama, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.

The pop star once claimed to squeeze in a gym workout at 4.45am to her hectic schedule. However, a brain specialist says getting up this early won’t necessarily make you more productive.

According to the expert, our genetics play a huge role in our prime functioning hours. For that reason, setting a pre-dawn alarm might not suit everyone.

Enter Dr Baibing Chen, a neurologist from the University of Michigan, who frequently imparts his expertise via TikTok under the handle Dr Bing.

He recently tackled the burning question plaguing productivity enthusiasts: “Do you need to wake up at 4am to get the most out of your brain?” to which he emphatically debunked the notion, declaring: “The idea that waking up extremely early will make you more productive is a myth.”

The doctor elaborated: “What really matters is how much sleep you’re getting, and the quality of sleep that you’re getting. You probably have heard of the circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock that your brain runs on which controls when you feel awake and when you feel tired.”

The health expert pointed out that our circadian rhythms are largely dictated by genetics. He continued: “Some people are naturally early birds, while others are night owls – and if you’re wired to be more alert in the evening, forcing yourself to wake up at 4am can actually hurt your focus, memory and decision making.”

Furthermore, he warned that rising too early may rob individuals of the vital benefits that come with sleep, particularly the “deep REM sleep” crucial for creativity, emotional control, and consolidating memories. “If you’re a night owl, waking up at 4, 5am might actually be counterproductive,” he argued.

While the NHS advises that most healthy adults need anywhere between 7 to 9 hours of sleep nightly, the doctor highlighted that individual sleep requirements might vary due to various factors, including age, health, and differing lifestyles.

Dr Bing added: “The most successful people in history, Einstein for example, were late risers, proving that it’s not about the hour you wake up but the quality of your sleep and how you structure your day.”

The expert concluded that while it might be tempting to mimic the routines of others seen online or known personally, sleep should be personalised.

“Focus on optimising your sleep by structuring your day around your peak mental hours and maintaining consistency,” he advised.