#186 - EMF and Sleep: Rays of Violet and Electric Blue

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are everywhere—from our phones to our Wi-Fi to the wiring in our homes. But do they actually disrupt sleep… or is this another modern sleep villain that gets more attention than it deserves? In this episode of Sleep Unplugged, we will:

• Define what EMF actually is (ELF vs RF, and why “non-ionizing” matters)
• Learn what research says—and doesn’t say—about EMF and the brain, including why subtle EEG changes don’t always translate into real-world sleep problems
• Review what studies show about EMF and sleep, from brain waves and spindles to subjective sleep quality
• Focus on Chuck McGill (Better Call Saul) as a case study, and why his story mirrors what we see in insomnia, hyperarousal, and perceived sleep threats
• Determine if EMF-blocking devices actually work and look at physics vs marketing—and why many products overpromise
• List some reasonable precautions without fear, and why chasing the “perfect sleep environment” can sometimes make insomnia worse

Produced by: Maeve Winter

More

• Twitter: @drchriswinter
• IG: @drchriwinter
• Threads: @drchriswinter
• Bluesky: @drchriswinter
• The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child

Thanks for listening and sleep well!