What in the World Struggling to fall asleep? Listen to this!
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Jul 17, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Caroline Steel, a BBC science journalist known for her documentaries, delves into the fascinating science of sleep. She shares her eye-opening experiences from a sleep lab, explaining the crucial roles of different sleep stages, particularly REM sleep. Alongside sleep expert Dr. Jonathan Tham, they discuss how genetics and environment shape our sleep patterns and provide practical tips to enhance sleep quality. From personal anecdotes to the impact of caffeine, they tackle the complexities and strategies for a restful night.
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Caroline's Sleep Struggle
- Caroline Steel shares her personal struggle with falling asleep and staying asleep due to feeling hot and external noises.
- She identifies as a bad sleeper on a quest to find better sleep methods.
Factors Affecting Sleep
- Genetics and feelings of safety, especially childhood safety, greatly affect how easily people fall asleep.
- Mental health, like anxiety and racing thoughts, also plays a significant role in sleep quality.
Brain Chemistry and Sleep
- Brain neurons in the hypothalamus sync with light and dark cycles, regulating body functions for sleep readiness.
- Adenosine builds up during wakefulness creating pressure to sleep and is cleared during sleep to help refresh the brain.