The Matt Walker Podcast

Dr. Michael Grandner, sleep expert, discusses the challenges athletes face regarding sleep, including irregular schedules and travel. He highlights the importance of 'banking sleep' and maintaining a consistent schedule. They also touch on caffeine, creatine, and efforts by organizations like the NCAA to address sleep issues.

Dr. Michael Grandner, an expert in the role of sleep in athletic performance, joins Matt to discuss the critical role of sleep in athletes. They highlight how sleep impacts physical and mental performance, recovery, decision-making, and motivation. The podcast challenges the misconception that sacrificing sleep shows commitment in sports and emphasizes sleep as a foundational element. Sleep deprivation not only affects physical abilities but also impairs decision-making and motivation. The conversation underscores sleep's influence on making better choices, regardless of whether you're an athlete.

This podcast episode explores the science behind yawning and discusses the three leading theories on its purpose. The host challenges the assumption that yawning indicates sleepiness and leans towards the theory that it helps cool the brain. The episode also delves into contagious yawning and its role in synchronizing group behavior. Additionally, it discusses the theory that yawning regulates oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body, although research findings challenge this idea.

The podcast explores the debate around the snooze button, highlighting a study that challenges popular beliefs. While snoozing may not have as negative of an impact on mood, cognitive performance, or cortisol levels as once thought, users end up with less sleep. The importance of cherishing natural sleep patterns is emphasized, and the history of alarm clocks and unconventional designs are discussed. The potential consequences of snooze button habits on well-being are also mentioned.

Dr. Eti Ben Simon, expert in women's health and hormones, joins Matt to answer listener questions about the relationship between sleep, hormones, and the female reproductive cycle. They discuss the challenges of hormonal fluctuations during the perimenopausal and menopausal periods, review hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and explore the link between sleep and chronic pain. They also touch on the subjective vs. objective sleep perception and the potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics on sleep and mental health.

In this episode, Matt and Dr. Eti address sleep-related questions, discussing sleep differences between genders, the impact of sleep trackers, and sleep patterns throughout life. They explore the influence of biological factors on sleep, accuracy of sleep trackers, changes in sleep duration across the lifespan, and aging effects on sleep quality. They also mention AG One, a nutritional drink, and its benefits. This podcast provides a comprehensive overview of sleep science and its impact on well-being.

Explore the intriguing connection between sleep and motor memory. Discover how sleep enhances skill development, as seen in stroke patients and musicians. Learn about the impact of sleep on motor skill memories and how it influences transitions and consolidates memories. Uncover the role of stage two non-REM sleep and sleep spindles in improving motor memory. Prioritize sleep for optimal performance in motor/skill memory.

The podcast explores the concept of a caffeine nap, combining a short nap with caffeine to enhance mental performance. It delves into studies on the impact of caffeine, naps, and caffeine naps on cognitive functions. The episode highlights the benefits of a caffeine nap, such as reducing sleep inertia and boosting cognitive performance. It also discusses supplementary factors like washing with cold water and exposure to natural light to augment the effects. The importance of using caffeine naps judiciously and the potential advantages for athlete recuperation are emphasized.

This podcast episode delves into the world of polyphasic sleep, exploring its historical origins and various sleep schedules. While proponents claim enhanced sleep quality and improved health, scientific evidence reveals the opposite. Polyphasic sleep often leads to disrupted sleep stages, impaired cognitive function, mood decline, and adverse health effects. The importance of traditional sleep patterns is emphasized, cautioning against attempting to hack the sleep cycle.

Sleep expert and researcher, Dr. Michael Grandner, joins Matt again to discuss gender-based variations in insomnia susceptibility, sleep difficulties during menopause, sleep disparities among different races and ethnicities, the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and strategies for improving sleep health.