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No holds barred, unscripted discussion on a wide range of sleep topics - from sleep disorders to current research and controversies in the field. No topic is off limits! Dr. Chris Winter is a clinician, a board certified neurologist and double boarded sleep specialist with 30 years of clinical experience. He is the author of The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child, and is a popular consultant and speaker, working for many professional sports teams. He is well known for his unique perspective ...
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Insomnia treatment often involves pills and when those pills fail to solve the problem (or even if them seem to help) the desire to discontinue the pills may arise. In this episode we will: Discuss the overall theory of sleeping pills Highlight the use of Trazodone as a sleeping aid Walk through strategies and useful ways to discontinue sleeping pi…
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#127 - The 3rd Annual Holiday Sleep Gift Guide Extravaganza: You Just Won't Be Able To Do Without It
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The Sleep Unplugged podcast is back to solve your holiday shopping dilemmas with some of my favorite sleep product companies. In this episode, we will explore a host of sleep-themed gift ideas and product recommendations. In this episode, we will feature the following products: GroundingWell grounding/earthing products Beadgear pillows and linens B…
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With the holidays fast approaching, many will take to the skies bound for destinations all over the world. Sleeping on a plane can be the difference between a pleasant Thanksgiving event and a contentious meal ending in frustration. Being prepared to sleep on a plane is an artform. In this episode we will: Discuss the ins and outs of seat selection…
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There is a complicated relationship between sleep and weight, and it's worth unpacking this to some degree. In this episode we will: Look at the data on weight loss in sleep apnea patients and how it impacts disease state Review the reverse situation of how CPAP therapy affects short and long-term patient weight Understand the consensus opinion abo…
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Grief is a both a common cause of acute insomnia and a massive perpetuating factor of chronic insomnia. The relationship between grief and insomnia/sleep is complex and bidirectional. In this episode we will: Outline the relationship between grief and sleep and how it acts as a causative factor Discuss how long-term insomnia can lead to complex gri…
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Fear of the dark is a common phobia seen in children that can greatly affect their sleep. In this episode we will: define fear of the dark differentiate between nyctophobia (fear of the night), scotophobia (fear of the dark/what the dark could be hiding), or lygophobia (fear of twilight) describe the ages that it commonly presents, peaks, and disap…
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We have touched upon bedwetting in several episodes, but we have never dedicated an entire episode to the topic. In this episode, we will: define enuresis/bedwetting differential between primary and secondary enuresis discuss the differences between monosymptomatic and non-monosymptomatic enuresis uncover the risk factors for enuresis list the caus…
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Climate change is not only a growing threat to our planetary survival, but it is also a major player in the health and safety of people everywhere. Our sleep health does not escape the widening reach of global climate consequences. In this episode we will: Discuss the research linking climate change to sleep and sleep inequalities Focus on research…
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Up until recently, getting more sleep was not exactly cool and absolutely not something to brag about. Gen Z may be changing that perception on social medial as they brag about getting more sleep, better sleep, and pushing the concept of sleep perfection to the "max." In this week's episode, we will: Highlight Kate Lindsay's September 8, 2024 New Y…
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Over the past few years, the topic of sleep has permeated the media landscape like few other topics in science and medicine. This has led to not only a fascination withing the public about the topic, but also a wild west-like race to financially capitalize on sleep products. But which products are better than others? In this episode, we will: discu…
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On September 16th, 2024, Apple announced their new sleep apnea detection feature for their Apple Watch device had received FDA approval for the detection of mild to moderate sleep apnea. While this is an exciting development in the consumer medical field. In this episode, there are some concerns about this technology. In this episode we will: Touch…
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As summer comes to an end, it's a good time to examine how seasonal change tends to affect our sleep. In this episode we will: Refresh our memories about circadian factors related to sleep Look at seasonal trends in sleep times, bed times and wake times Evaluate factors such as light, temperature, and exercise as well as other surprising sleep vari…
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#116 - Sleep Unplugged Book Club #1-Navigating Life With Restless Legs Syndrome: Bouncing 'Round the Room
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For the first installment of the Sleep Unplugged Book Club, we will examine Andrew Spector's new book Navigating Life with Restless Legs Syndrome. This also marks a revisiting of the topic we covered in episode #13 (Restless Legs Syndrome: You Gotta Move). In this episode we will: Introduce Dr. Andrew Spector, a Duke University professor of neurolo…
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There is no topic in sleep more likely to incite a riot between sleep experts than the concept of a sleep debt. Does it really exist? Can a sleep debt ever be repaid? If so, how long? In this episode, we will: Define sleep debt Examine a new population study on the effects of sleep debt on cardiovascular risk Attempt to consolidate the available re…
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We have touched on inflammation as a central pathway connecting sleep disorders and dementia (episode 99), injury (episode 70), pain (episode 48), and cardiovascular disease (episode 35). In this episode, we shine the spotlight directly on inflammation and learn how it is connected to sleep. In this episode we will: Examine the reciprocal relations…
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Somewhere between normal nocturnal breathing and sleep apnea exists a strange entity. This condition, often debated in terms of its mere existence is upper airway resistance syndrome, and knowing about it can be the difference between solving your sleep-related breathing woes and continuing your struggles. In this episode we will: define upper airw…
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#112 - Sleep Walking: To Get Up and Go, Memory's Remote, Now I’m Standing Up The Morning After
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Sleep walking is probably the most recognized and discussed parasomnia, but it can also create significant confusion and danger for those affected. In this episode, we will: Define sleepwalking Differentiate somnambulism and noctambulism Evaluate how age and genetics affects the condition Characterize the parasomnia List the causes of sleep walking…
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We often talk about the amount of sleep individuals need creates confusion for insomnia patients. In this episode we dive deeper into this concept with a way in which to think about sleep need. In this episode we will: Revisit sleep need Understand why 8 hours is not right more many individuals Touch on the complicated nature of determining how muc…
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Sleep apnea is a very common medical problem that affects a large portion of the population. The treatment options leave much to be desired including what is by far and away the most common treatment: the CPAP device. This reality has led to the quest to find a medical treatment for sleep apnea, and one investigational drug AD109, has received some…
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Aging is a certainty of life, and with it comes changes in sleep. Understanding these changes is central to life-long pursuit of healthy sleep. In this episode we will: Discuss whether or not older individuals sleep less than younger individuals Evaluate the role of schedules and schedule flexibility in the sleep of the elderly Learn why the circad…
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The menstrual cycle has long been associated with sleep. Emerging research is uncovering more of a bidirectional relationship with sleep. In this episode we will: Provide an overview of the menstrual cycle Evaluate the reciprocity of the relationship between sleep and the menstrual cycle Discuss the roles of estrogen and progesterone in the cycle a…
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Like it or not, the concept of a sleep divorce seems like it is here to stay. Sleeping in separate beds or bedrooms is a popular option for solving sleep issues, but is it the right choice? Are there better options. In this episode we will: Look at historical research about partner sleep Define a sleep divorce Introduce the Scandinavian Sleep Metho…
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"You are getting sleepy" is what I think about when I think of hypnosis, and given that it has been looked at as a treatment for insomnia, it makes a lot of sense. While the research linking sleep and hypnosis is a both thin and evolving, there are studies to learn from. In this episode we will: Look at the history of hypnosis as a sleep/insomnia t…
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Lately, much seems to be made about the relationship between air quality and sleep. Air purification systems have jumped on the sleep bandwagon as have good old fashioned house plants. But is there any evidence supporting this connection? In this episode we will: Look at research connecting air quality and sleep quality among various populations Ev…
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While we have touched on sleep deprivation in other episodes, particularly as it relates to confusion with the concept of insomnia, in this episode, we devote the entire program to a discussion of the topic. In this episode we will: Define sleep deprivation Go through the symptoms of sleep deprivation and research into many of these signs Touch upo…
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#103 - Research from the 2024 SLEEP Scientific Conference: Pleasant Dreams at the Sleep Brain Drain
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The 2024 SLEEP meeting just concluded in Houston where the greatest sleep minds come together and share the amazing academic and scientific projects and research they have been working on. Each year, the Sleep Unplugged podcast brings you some of the more noteworthy research and practical data from the meeting. In this episode we will: Review studi…
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Insomnia requires a multidisciplinary approach to solve and what's right for one individual may not be for another. In this episode, I introduce eleven different products that I have been sent and talk about who might benefit from their use. In this episode, we will: Discuss Ryze mushroom beverage mix and learn how it might help promote relaxation …
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The United States Military has a fascinating relationship with sleep. What organization needs it more, but often finds themselves neglecting it. In this episode we will: Explore the sleep challenges of military training schools Document the sleep deprivation of military officers Review the Air Force regulations related to sleep List the various obs…
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To celebrate the 100th episode of the Sleep Unplugged podcast, here is a all-encompassing list of 100 habits and good practices healthy sleepers employ. How many are you currently following? In this episode we will: Highlight ways to improve your sleep Think about items that might indicate your sleep is not optimized Evaluate our habits, activities…
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In episode 62, we began to look at the role sleep plays in memory. In episode 65, we looked at the condition REM behavior disorder and how this neurodegenerative condition is often associated with telling sleep disorders. We continue both of these dialogues in this episode. In this episode we will: Look at research linking sleep disorders and inade…
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One of the aspects of insomnia that can be both a perpetuating factor and and target for treatment is exploring dysfunctional beliefs. In this episode we will: Explore different types of insomnia beliefs Understand how these beliefs impact insomnia therapy Look at the relationship between dysfunctional sleep beliefs and depression and alcohol abuse…
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Dreams happen, and unfortunately, sometimes those dreams are nightmares. For most, these terrifying nights are few and far between. For a small few, nightmares become a frequent and unwanted nighttime norm. In this episode we will: Revisit parasomnias, in this case nightmare disorder, and determine what defines it Differentiate this disorder from n…
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Narcolepsy is a misunderstood medical disorder and as such, it generates some fascinating stories and anecdotes when you treat narcolepsy. In this episode we will: Discuss the difficulties narcolepsy patients go through just refilling their medications Dissect the idea of narcolepsy patients and abuse of their drugs Evaluate the enthusiasm the medi…
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The health benefits of yoga are widely espoused, but for many, the belief is that the benefits are derived mainly from the physical nature of the poses or asanas. The breathing exercises and techniques (pranayama) are often ignored. In this episode, we will: -Explore the sleep-specific benefits of breathwork to not only bring oxygen to the brain, b…
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Though widely regarded as pseudoscience for many years, there has been a recent resurgence in the practice of earthing/grounding. This practice aims to dissipate excess electrical charge and reestablish electrical homeostasis. While the act of grounding is common practice in high voltage appliances, is it really necessary of beneficial in the human…
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There are no shortage of insomnia treatments and we have covered many on this podcast. In honor of April Fool's Day, we spotlight 10 unusual treatments and continue our yearly tradition of sharing the funniest listener comments about the show. In this episode we will: Discuss biofeedback as a potential insomnia therapy Evaluate the act of rocking o…
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When it comes to substances affecting sleep negatively, it seems alcohol and caffeine hog all of the spotlight. But what about nicotine? While the number of younger individuals who smoke is declining, the advent of vaping and oral nicotine pouches is rising, and the effects on the sleep of the users is not positive. In this episode we will: Examine…
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In a 2017 study, approximately one-third of the respondents reported having fallen asleep driving within the last month. Sleepy driving is a massive public health problem leading to thousands of preventable accidents, deaths, and injuries every year. In this episode we will: Define drowsy driving Outline the scope of this public health problem Eval…
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One of the most interesting trends in sleep is the growing number of hotels and hospitality centers that are embracing sleep as a primary focus for their patrons. Equinox Hotel in New York City has fully embraced the topic in almost everything they offer their guests from spa experiences to a room that goes "Dark, Quiet, and Cool" with the touch of…
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Over the last two years, we have covered several circadian rhythm disorders...jet lag disorder and shift work disorder as well as covering the general concept of a circadian rhythm. For some individuals, they have an intrinsic desynchrony with the times they are expected to be awake. In this episode we will: Review the role of the circadian rhythm …
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Weighted blankets have soared in popularity over the past decade and they often promise better sleep. What exactly dose the evidence say and for what practical purposes can these products be useful? In this episode, we will: Review the nervous system pathways for perceiving touch and pressure Describe how pressure has a calming effect on the body v…
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A simple piece of cloth over the eyes can have a powerful effect of the quality on an individual's sleep. The evolution of the sleep mask has been profound and the available literature of their effectiveness, particularly in the hospital setting has be extensively studied. In this episode we will: Outline the effects of sleep masks on sleep Review …
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Picking the right mattress and pillow is important. Choosing the right material that goes over your mattress is equally essential. Bedding materials come in many forms and they can make a difference in your sleep experience. In this episode we will: Look at the research about bedding and disease modification Understand the temperature-regulating pr…
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It's hard to find insomnia without a healthy dose of fear or anxiety. Few individuals make an appointment to see a sleep specialist only to let them know that the situation is no big deal and frankly enjoyable. Fear not only plays a huge role in the development and worsening of insomnia, it also offers an insight into a potential solution. In this …
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The research on sleep and cell phone use is negative and there is an overwhelming amount of it. The negative impacts on sleep affect all age groups and demographics. While the impact on mood, memory, and attention is clearly sizable, the impact on sleep exists independently from these effects. In this episode we will: Examine the effects of cell ph…
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While brain fog has been described in many contexts, its incidence has soared since Covid. While the existence of brain fog is clearly real, its lack of clear definition and delineation from similar disorders does inject diagnostic and therapeutic confusion into the clinical setting. In this episode we will: Offer elements central to the definition…
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If catathrenia (Episode 30) is the parasomnia that bothers everyone except the sleeper, exploding head syndrome (EHS) is the parasomnia the only bothers the sleeper, and very much so at that. Imaging being awakened by a sound so loud and dreadful that you awaken certain that you are about to die. In this episode we will: Define exploding head syndr…
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In 2023, the Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an 82-page advisory entitled, "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" and it details the health consequences of social isolation and lack of social support. In the report, sleep was specifically highlighted as an aspect of health affected by social isolation. This highlights an important con…
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Happy new year! It's 2024 and with a new year comes resolutions to join a gym and get into shape. The podcast has explored exercise and sleep relationships before, but is there a benefit to lifting weights? In this episode we will: Touch on current gym use statistics Revisit the impact sleep has on weight training, recovery, and athletic gains Deta…
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Another year calendar year of the Sleep Unplugged podcast has come to a close. With the escalation in podcast popularity soaring, the 2023 Sleepy Awards seem all the more important and exciting. It's fun to sing the praises of these special sleep colleagues as 2023 comes to a close. Join me as we celebrate some of the brightest stars within the fie…
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