Ask Me Anything Part 15: Beauty Sleep, Naps, 3 AM Wake-Ups & Axl Rose with Dr. Eti Ben Simon
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
1d ago
In their latest AMA episode, Matt and Eti address listener questions ranging from "beauty sleep" to 3 AM awakenings. They explore the scientific evidence supporting sleep's crucial role in skin health and perceived attractiveness, citing studies on the effects of sleep deprivation. The cognitive benefits of napping are discussed, highlighting its ability to enhance learning and memory consolidation. They also delve into the remarkable neural activity of deep non-REM sleep, including synchronized neuron firing and accelerated memory replay. The common concern of sleep debt is also a key topic ..read more
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#91 Sleep, Ambien, Memory, and Alzheimer's
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
1w ago
This week, Matt Walker dives into the world of the widely used sleeping pill, Ambien (Zolpidem). He explains how Ambien, a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, works by targeting the brain's GABA receptors, specifically the alpha-1 subunit, to induce sleep. However, this comes with consequences. Matt highlights research by Dr. Marcos Frank showing that Ambien significantly impairs memory consolidation, essentially unwiring the brain's learning processes during sleep by approximately 50%.  Furthermore, the episode explores Ambien's impact on the glymphatic system, the brain's crucial wast ..read more
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The Evergreen Express - A Sleep Story Read by Matt Walker
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
2w ago
Settle into the embrace of your bed, feeling its comforting presence beneath you. This connection anchors you to the present, quieting the mind's chatter and creating a foundation for restful sleep.  Tired of untrustworthy protein shakes? Show sponsor Puori prioritizes quality: hormone-free, GMO-free, and pesticide-free. Every batch is third-party tested for 200+ contaminants - you can even scan the QR code for lab results! Matt recommends the addictive dark chocolate flavor with 21g of protein. Ready to experience the Puori difference? Matt’s listeners get 20% off, so visit puori.com/ma ..read more
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#90 - Sleep as Fuel for Athletes with Dr. Cheri Mah
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
3w ago
Join Matt and renowned sleep scientist Dr. Cheri Mah today as they delve into the crucial connection between sleep and athletic performance. Dr. Mah's groundbreaking research at Stanford, including her famous basketball player sleep extension study (which revealed a 9% improvement in free throws and three-pointers!), demonstrates how prioritizing sleep can significantly enhance athletic abilities. In this fascinating episode, she discusses with Matt how sleep impacts not only physical recovery and muscle repair, but also cognitive functions crucial for athletes, such as decision-making, reacti ..read more
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Ask Me Anything Part 14: Sleep, AI, Space, and Superpowers
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
1M ago
In his latest "Ask Me Anything" episode, Matt is once again joined by Dr. Eti Ben Simon to respond to a variety of audience questions, beginning with the role of AI in sleep medicine. Together, they explore how AI is currently being used to improve the accuracy and efficiency of sleep stage scoring, and how it shows promise in diagnosing sleep apnea and personalizing treatment plans. Matt highlights the potential for AI to integrate with smart home technology and predict an individual's risk of developing sleep disorders based on genetics, lifestyle, and environmental data. He also discusses t ..read more
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#89 - Does Catch-up Sleep Work?
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
1M ago
Welcome back to a new episode of the  Matt Walker Podcast, where we revisit the often-discussed topic of catch-up sleep. We delve into the complexities of weekend catch-up sleep, exploring a recent study of 91,000 participants that suggests a potential link between compensatory weekend sleep and a reduced risk of heart disease. While this news offers a glimmer of hope, it's crucial to understand this benefit within the context of existing research. Studies like that of Dr. Ken Wright at the University of Colorado Boulder show weekend catch-up sleep only recovers a small percentage of slee ..read more
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#88 - Sleep & Sleeping Pills with Dr. Ranji Varghese
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
1M ago
Matt Walker welcomes Dr. Ranji Varghese to the podcast this week for an in-depth conversation about sleep and prescription sleeping pills. A psychiatrist specializing in sleep medicine, Dr. Varghese begins by discussing his entry into the field which was sparked by a fascination with sleep and wake circadian rhythms. He goes on to highlight the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorder Center's focus on parasomnias, particularly REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, emphasizing the intersection of neuroscience, physiology, and psychology in sleep medicine. As you will hear, sleeping pills, prescribed to initia ..read more
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Beneath a Highland Moon - A Sleep Story Read by Matt Walker
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
2M ago
Embark on a calming journey to the Scottish Highlands in tonight's sleep story. Join Matt as he guides you through a tranquil landscape of rolling hills, sparkling lochs, and fragrant valleys. Let the soothing sounds of nature and the peaceful imagery lull you into a deep, restful sleep. This immersive experience is designed to ease your mind and help you unwind after a long day. Tonight's story offers a sanctuary from the whirlwind of everyday life, allowing you to release your worries and embrace the stillness of the night. Feel the gentle ground beneath your feet as you wander along winding ..read more
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#87 - Sleep, Trauma Memories, AI & Memory Hacks, with Dr. Charan Ranganath
The Matt Walker Podcast
by
2M ago
Dr. Charan Ranganath returns to explore the complexities of human memory with Matt here today. Together, they delve into memory's architecture, examining how sleep, trauma, and AI impact its function. The discussion covers episodic and semantic memory, emphasizing the role of sleep in memory consolidation and challenging the traditional "archive" model with Dr. Ranganath proposing a dynamic web of interconnected associations instead.  The conversation then shifts to trauma's effects, focusing on PTSD and innovative therapeutic approaches—including psychedelics—designed to enhance neural p ..read more
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Ask Me Anything Part 13: Circadian Rhythms, Biphasic Sleep, Gut Health, and Animal Sleep Secrets
The Matt Walker Podcast
by Dr. Matt Walker
2M ago
Matt and Eti’s latest AMA episode begins with an exploration of the fascinating relationship between circadian rhythms and medication effectiveness. Discover how this internal 24-hour clock influences drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, impacting treatment outcomes. The episode then delves into chronotherapy, revealing how timing can optimize medication efficacy and minimize side effects for conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  Together, our hosts investigate whether individuals thriving on minimal sleep have a genetic advantage, focusing on th ..read more
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