I used to get by fine with 5-6 hours, too, until I started getting 7-8 and realized how much better I feel.
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I think this is pretty common! More sleep makes everything better -- attention, immune system (getting colds less often), mood, etc.
I feel like a different person sometimes. And going to bed even 1hr earlier makes it generally much higher quality.
I have spent months at a time getting 7-8 (amid years of 5-6). I never notice any difference and am actually surprised my body can do 7-8 to no purpose.
From the perspective of evolution there's a purpose... burn fewer calories in the dark when there's nothing else to do.
The question is whether it still matters in the modern era.