Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter

The orexin receptor agonists are coming. After years of managing narcolepsy with stimulants, sodium oxybate, and wake-promoting agents, we soon will have medications that target the root cause of the disorder: the loss of orexin signaling. These new drugs—developed by Takeda, Alkermes, and Centessa—aren’t just incremental improvements. They represent a genuine shift in how we understand and treat hypersomnolence disorders. In this episode, we will:Define what orexin is and why losing it destabilizes wakefulness, REM boundaries, muscle tone, and cognitionLearn how orexin agonists work—not as stimulants, but as replacement therapy for a missing neurotransmitterFind out why OX2R is the key receptor, and how selective agonists restore stable wakefulness, reduce cataplexy, and normalize attentionReview the available clinical data from the new wave of programs: oveporexton (Takeda), alixorexton (Alkermes), and ORX750 (Centessa)See what makes these drugs different from modafinil, amphetamines, solriamfetol, and oxybate therapiesLearn why Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 trials matter—with quick insights on how these drugs reached such strong resultsConsider safety and side effects, including what Hy’s Law means and why regulators watch liver signals so closelyLook ahead to what these medications may mean for NT1, NT2, IH, and other hypersomnolence disorders in the coming yearsSpeculate why this class represents one of the most exciting moments in modern sleep medicineProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

At the root of many sleep disorders of sleep fragmentation. It's a big part of sleep medicine that many people don't know much about. In this episode we will:Define sleep fragmentationContrast the differences between arousals from sleep and awakenings from sleepUnderstand why sleep fragmentation goes unnoticed by providers and patients alikeList some common causes of sleep fragmentationReview how sleep fragmentation appears in sleep dataTouch upon research about sleep fragmentation specifically and performanceProvide strategies for reducing sleep fragmentationProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

The media can be a fantastic source of information about insomnia, or it can be a lens that distorts and confuses the issue. In this episode we will:Contrast to contemporary insomnia articles from popular mediaUnderstand the difference between causation and relationshipsLearn how the use to percentages can distort the scale of an effectRead how media frequently confuses "sleep deprivation" and "insomnia"Evaluate an example of how media can positively educate and help readers understand insomnia betterProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

For the first time in my career, two team for who I work will meet for the championship, this time it's the Los Angeles Dodgers (my 10th year with the club) and the Toronto Blue Jays (my 3rd year with the club). In this episode we will:Discuss my work in MLBTalk about how these two teams came to sleep medicine as a performance toolLearn how anybody or any organization could benefit from sleepProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

Explore the surprising connection between hydration and sleep quality! Discover how dehydration can disrupt your sleep architecture and raise your heart rate. Learn strategies for optimal hydration, including the best times and types of fluids to consume. Delve into fascinating studies linking sleep duration with hydration levels. Plus, find out how cultures differ in their fluid intake and the importance of humidification for a better night's rest. Hydration might just be the secret to improving your sleep!

Whether you’re skiing in Aspen, hiking Kilimanjaro, or just wondering why sleep feels so strange in the mountains, altitude messes with your rest in fascinating ways. In this episode we will:Explore the biology of what’s really happening in the brain and body when oxygen thins outFind out why your sleep becomes fragmented and restless, and what recent research reveals about the role of hypoxia, periodic breathing, and even oxidative stress in your slumber at altitudeShare new data on how altitude amplifies both insomnia and sleep apneaUnpack the science behind those sleepless nights at high elevationProvide practical, evidence-based strategies to make them better Produced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

We’ve all heard the sleep hygiene advice: turn off your screens, keep your room cool, avoid caffeine after lunch. While we can agree that these practices set the stage for better sleep, does engaging in them actually help those with sleep problems?  In this episode we will:Examine the intended role of sleep hygieneLook at what research tell us in terms of using sleep hygiene as a tool for insomnia treatmentDive into what it means for an insomnia therapy to workDifferentiate between actions geared at changing sleep behaviors and actions geared towards changing interpretations of sleep behaviorsProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

Few parenting debates stir more passion than how to help a baby sleep. In this episode, we will:Explore the science and controversy behind “cry it out,” Ferber/check-and-console, and gentler alternativesReview what research says about sleep outcomes, stress, and attachmentThink about this concept in relationship to varyting sleep needsUnpack the safety concerns around bed-sharing and why guidance is so dividedOffer practical takeaways so parents can choose an approach that works—and feels right—for their familyProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

When it comes to sleep, sometimes silence is golden—and sometimes it needs a little help. In this episode, we’ll explore the world of earplugs and earbuds designed to quiet the night and protect your rest, because sometimes the best way to protect your dreams is to put a little something in your ear. In this episode we will:Determine why reducing noise can make such a difference for falling asleep and staying asleepList the best earplugs made specifically for sleep—like BET SLUMBUR, Loop, Swanwick, and Happy EarsIntroduce new approaches to noise masking that blend soothing sound with comfort and advanced sleep tracking (Ozlo) Revisit noise canceling innovations that actively fight disruptive sounds (QuietOn 4.0)Learn how to match the right solution to your unique sleep environment—whether it’s a snoring partner, thin apartment walls, or unpredictable travel nightsProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

We’ve all seen it—or maybe we’ve been told we do it: twitching, jerking, or kicking in the night. But when does this common sleep quirk cross the line into a diagnosable condition? In this episode, we will:Define Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and explain how it differs from simple nighttime movementsExplore its surprising prevalence in both adults and children—and its strong ties to Restless Legs SyndromeReview leading theories of cause, from dopamine to iron to spinal generatorsHighlight intriguing new research, including cardiovascular links and AI-based detectionDiscuss treatment strategies—from iron replacement to dopaminergic medications and lifestyle approachesProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!