The Science of Sleep Deprivation

This chapter examines how sleep deprivation affects performance and awareness, comparing it to the effects of drunkenness on driving. It discusses the role of circadian rhythms and adenosine in sleep pressure, along with individual variations in waking responses and daily energy dips. The importance of deep non-REM sleep in managing sleep-related biochemical processes and optimizing alertness is also highlighted.

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Episode notes

In this episode 1 of a 6-part special series on sleep with Dr. Matthew Walker, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience and psychology and founder of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of the book “Why We Sleep” discusses the essential role that sleep plays in our health. We cover how sleep affects our hormones, immune system, learning and memory, mood, appetite, and weight regulation.

We also discuss what causes the urge to sleep, how sleep is structured throughout the night, and the biology of the different phases of sleep. We also teach you how to determine your individualized sleep needs, including your chronotype (best waking and to-bed time), tips for combat snoring and insomnia, and your QQRT (Quality, Quantity, Regularity, and Timing)—a key framework for optimizing your sleep and therefore daytime energy and focus, and overall health.

The next episode in this special series explores how to improve one’s sleep.

For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.