This Podcast Will Kill You Ep 198 Sleep Part 1: Sleeping with one eye open
Jan 20, 2026
Explore the mysteries of sleep, a universal experience shared by many species. Delve into the different components of human sleep and how it compares across animals. Discover the surprising effects of genetics and life stages on sleep needs. Learn about unique behaviors like unihemispheric sleep in dolphins and how ecological factors influence sleep strategies. Unpack the scientific components of sleep measurement and what it reveals about our nightly rhythms. Join the hosts as they unravel why we need sleep, including energy conservation and memory consolidation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Lucid Dreaming Stops Sleep Paralysis
- Stephen Ray Morris described vivid lucid-dreaming techniques he used to overcome recurring sleep paralysis demons.
- He reports that practicing reality checks (like looking at hands/clocks) helped him regain control and reduce paralysis episodes.
Human Sleep Follows Predictable EEG Cycles
- Sleep divides into REM and non-REM with predictable EEG signatures and stages.
- A full adult sleep cycle lasts ~90–100 minutes and repeats several times per night.
Use Wearables Cautiously For Sleep Staging
- Consumer wearable sleep trackers can estimate sleep vs. wake fairly well but struggle to reliably classify sleep stages night-to-night.
- Avoid using them for clinical diagnosis or fine-grained night-level decisions without PSG confirmation.
