Nearly half of American adults are failing to meet the recommended eight hours of sleep, with the average sleep duration dropping from 7.9 hours in 1942 to just 6 hours and 31 minutes today. This alarming trend highlights that many individuals are operating on insufficient sleep, exacerbating health risks. The myth that some people can thrive on less than six hours of sleep is debunked, as research reveals that zero percent of the population can function optimally on such limited rest without adverse effects.