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The Matt Walker Podcast

#47 - Too Much Sleep

May 8, 2023
23:56

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Quick takeaways

  • The self-perceived ideal amount of sleep may not be the true biological sleep need, and many people may be operating below their potential due to an unrecognized sleep debt.
  • There may not be a clear upper limit to optimal sleep duration, as sleeping up to 8.75 hours a night showed improved cognitive abilities and positive changes in hormonal health and stress markers.

Deep dives

Optimal Sleep Duration: Uncovering the True Sleep Need

Two independent studies conducted in Japan and the US/UK reveal that the self-perceived ideal amount of sleep for individuals may not be their true biological sleep need. The studies involved participants staying in controlled laboratory environments to determine their optimal sleep duration. In both studies, participants initially slept for longer periods, indicating a rebound from accumulated sleep debt. However, as the studies progressed, participants settled into a steady state equilibrium of approximately 8.75 hours of sleep a night on average. These findings suggest that many people may be operating below their potential due to an unrecognized sleep debt. Furthermore, the increased sleep duration demonstrated improved cognitive performance and beneficial effects on blood sugar levels and hormonal health, debunking the notion that more sleep is harmful.

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