

#221 ‒ Understanding sleep and how to improve it
295 snips Sep 5, 2022
Sleep expert Dr. Matt Walker, known for his deep insights into sleep science, returns with a treasure trove of knowledge. He dives into the evolutionary significance of sleep and explains the different stages of sleep and their functions. Matt sheds light on sleep chronotypes, offering tips on optimizing sleep quality, and discusses the benefits and drawbacks of napping. He also addresses the impact of blue light and caffeine on rest, and cautions against sleeping pills, recommending cognitive behavioral therapy as a safer alternative for insomnia.
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Sleep Deprivation's Impact
- Sleep is crucial, like oxygen; reducing sleep duration by 20-25% is detrimental.
- Evolutionarily, sleep must serve a vital function since it takes up a third of our lives.
Sleep Deprivation Risks
- Sleep deprivation is more dangerous than extreme activities like jumping from near-space.
- The Guinness Book of World Records banned sleep deprivation attempts due to its risks.
Chronotypes
- Chronotypes, whether you're a morning or night person, are largely genetically determined.
- The MEQ test can help determine your chronotype without genetic testing.