This week WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Allison Brager. She is a neurobiologist with expertise in sleep and circadian rhythms who works to examine the mind and body’s resilience to extreme environmental stress. She serves as a member of the WHOOP Scientific Advisory Council and wrote a popular science book entitled Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic Brain. Kristen and Dr. Brager will discuss the NCAA handbook and sleep trends for NCAA student-athletes (3:07), WHOOP member sleep statistics (8:35), the proper framework to maximize sleep performance (12:33), what happens when sleep performance is poor (16:05), how to effectively lower sleep debt (19:10), behaviors to advance and delay your sleep onset (21:35), the impact of light before bed (27:00), myths about sleep (32:55), how to get a good night’s sleep and how to prep during the day (35:47), taking the perfect nap (40:30), practicing yoga nidra (44:00), sharing a bed with a partner or pet (47:05), and sleep tourism (48:50).Resources:Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic BrainDr. Brager on InstagramSupport the show

Dr. Allison Brager, neurobiologist and Deputy Chief Science Officer for the U.S. Army, joins WHOOP VP of Performance Science to discuss misconceptions about sleep trends, ideal sleeping conditions, the relationship between light and melatonin, manipulating circadian rhythms, sleep consistency, circadian rhythms and the metabolic system, behaviors that disrupt sleep onset, and the impact of naps on sleep patterns.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Allison Brager, a neurobiologist and active-duty U.S. Army neuroscientist, dives into the science of sleep and performance. She reveals strategies for optimizing sleep in extreme conditions and shares insights on tactical napping and caffeine dosing. Listeners will learn about the genetic factors influencing sleep resilience, innovative recovery techniques, and the importance of circadian rhythms. Brager's expertise provides actionable tips for anyone juggling hectic schedules or combatting sleep disruptions.

This week's episode is a deep dive on sleep debt and how sleep deprivation affects your body. VP of Performance Kristen Holmes is joined by sleep expert Dr. Allison Brager, a neuroscientist and a Major with the United States Army. Dr. Brager's research has covered survival in extreme environments under sleep deprivation and stress, and serves on fatigue management and neuroenhancement working group for NATO, the Office of the Army Surgeon General, the Department of Defense, and NASA. She discusses what sleep debt is (3:38), why sleep need is highly individualistic (5:17), how mindset plays a role in sleep, recovery, and performance (13:00), what caffeine does to your body (16:48), sleep fragmentation (20:28), the toll sleeplessness takes on your body (23:06), sleep and wake timing (28:47), eating close to bedtime (35:05), and tips to manage insufficient sleep (37:54). Support the show

Allison Brager, U.S. Army neurobiologist and CrossFit athlete, discusses optimizing human performance in combat. Topics include stress exposure, fatigue management policies for Army drivers, importance of individualized training, and leveraging science and technology to push human limits. Tune in to learn about the future of training in special forces.