Sleep's Hidden Power: Why It Beats Gym & Sobriety | NeuroNoodle Neurofeedback Podcast

Join Jay Gunkelman, QEEGD (the man who has analyzed over 500,000 brain scans), Dr. Mari Swingle, author of i-Minds, and host Pete Jansons for another engaging NeuroNoodle Neurofeedback Podcast episode discussing neuroscience, psychology, mental health, and brain training.✅ Topic 1 Explained: Sleep’s Hidden PowerWhy no one markets “8 hours of sleep” in January despite it being the easiest, most powerful mental-health booster — orexin drive, anterior cingulate rumination, and why fatigue gets misclassified as just physiological.✅ Topic 2 Deep Dive: Neurofeedback Fatigue RisksOver-training protocols leads to "gym fatigue" in the brain. Jay & Mari explain balancing excitation/inhibition, avoiding hyper-stability, and how master clinicians accelerate results.✅ Topic 3 Insights: Stimulation PrimersPhotobiomodulation, HRV syncing, harmonics, cranial sacral — 10 minutes pre-session boosts neuroplasticity for better outcomes.✅ Additional Topics:🎯 Sleep hygiene essentials (blackout shades, no bright lights, Pittsburgh inventory)💪 Sleep phenotypes mistaken for ADHD (vertex sharp waves eyes-open, vigilance disorder)💡 Delayed circadian rhythm in kids → high later-life bipolar risk📻 SwingleSonic app for calm, sleep, focus😴 Orexin vs anterior cingulate insomnia🖐️ Photobiomodulation + neurofeedback synergy (variability = perfect operant)📅 No late sessions with tired kidsKey Moments:0:00 Welcome + Happy New Year banter3:15 Why no “sleep more” marketing push?4:06 Orexin wakefulness vs rumination insomnia6:35 Cultural denial of sleep deprivation8:09 Kids misdiagnosed ADHD when sleep-deprived9:30 Vertex sharp waves = fake ADD10:04 Vigilance disorder (narcolepsy-like)10:21 Delayed circadian → bipolar risk later11:49 Pittsburgh sleep inventory tool12:37 Screens/light as silent sleep killers14:40 Protocol fatigue — excitation/inhibition balance44:26 REM + slow-wave for growth hormone45:24 Photobiomodulation/HRV as session primers47:14 Stimulation creates neuroplastic window53:31 SwingleSonic.com53:38 Suisun Summit videos & student fund✅ Event & App Updates:Dr. Mari Swingle's Apps & Info: https://swinglesonic.comJay Gunkelman's Events & Info: https://suisuncitysummit.com✅ Help us keep the NeuroNoodle Podcast going!Support us on Patreon 👉   / neuronoodle  ✅ Enjoy the show? Like, subscribe, and share—it helps us reach more listeners. Hit the bell icon 🔔 for episode notifications!📅 Join us LIVE every Wednesday at 6 PM CST | 4 PM PST | 7 PM EST for a Q&A on mental health, brain training, and neurofeedback!#NeuroNoodle #NeurofeedbackPodcast #SleepMentalHealth #Neurofeedback #JayGunkelman #PeteJansons #DrMariSwingle #BrainHealth #MentalHealth #SleepHygiene #ADHDmisdiagnosis