Melatonin and Sleep: A Comprehensive Analysis

The relationship between our diet and sleep is bi-directional; i.e. sleep impacts diet and diet impacts sleep. Therefore, we can examine the impact of sleep timing, duration and other dimensions on our dietary intake. And then also examine the impat of both overall diet and specific nutrients on improving/worsening sleep. The is clear evidence of distinct, acute effects of restricted sleep time on food preferences, eating behaviour, energy intake, and our underlying metabolic physiology. When it comes to the ability of certain foods or nutrients to improve sleep, often many claims are based on weak evidence or mechanistic reasoning. But there is evidence showing some impacts of certain compounds to either positively or negatively impact sleep. So what is the accurate way to look at this bi-directional relationship? In this episode, Greg Potter, PhD discusses the evidence to date. Dr. Potter received his PhD from the University of Leeds, where his research focused on circadian rhythms, sleep, nutrition, and metabolism. In this episode:

• 03:15 - Sleep architecture and dimensions of sleep
• 10:29 - Influence of sleep on diet
• 35:11 - Chronotypes
• 53:26 - Impact of diet/meals on sleep
• 59:50 - Supplements like melatonin and tryptophan
• 1:20:27 - Rescuing a poor night's sleep - caffeine and nootropics
• 1:40:31 - Key Ideas segment (Premium only)

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