Trauma and Sleep: The PTSD Connection

This chapter explores the complex interplay between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep quality, highlighting how trauma can disrupt emotional regulation and lead to recurring nightmares. It discusses the significance of noradrenaline in REM sleep and presents promising research on medications like prazosin that aim to improve sleep patterns and alleviate PTSD symptoms.

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Episode notes

This is episode 5 of our 6-part special series on sleep with Dr. Matthew Walker, Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and the host of The Matt Walker Podcast. In this episode, we explain the connection between sleep and mood, emotional regulation and mental well-being.

We explain the role of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in processing emotions and emotional memories and why sleep deprivation causes agitation, impulsivity and emotional reactivity.

We also discuss why sleep disruption is a hallmark feature of PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidality, and other psychiatric conditions.

We explain protocols for improving REM sleep and other sleep phases in order to harness the therapeutic power of quality sleep to feel calmer and emotionally restored.

This episode describes various actionable tools to improve sleep for those struggling with mental health or mood and those wanting to bolster their overall state and well-being.

The next episode in this special series explores dreams, including lucid dreaming, nightmares and dream interpretation.

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