Shows
The Matt Walker Podcast#115 - Sleep Deprivation for DepressionThe counterintuitive use of sleep deprivation as a rapid treatment for major depression finds itself squarely in Matt’s spotlight today. He begins by discussing its origins in the 1970s, where one night of wakefulness induced temporary remission in 40-60% of patients, and goes on to note that this effect is fragile, with an 83% relapse rate after recovery sleep, pointing to a paradox where sleep itself may be depressogenic for some.Matt reviews the neuroscientific explanations, including the "overarousal hypothesis," which suggests the therapy works by calming hyperactive brain regions like the amygdala. The ep...
2025-11-1717 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#114 - How to Boost your HRVMatt delves into Heart Rate Variability (HRV), the subtle variation in timing between each heartbeat. He explains that a healthy heart is like a "jazz drummer," not a rigid metronome, and a higher HRV reflects a resilient body that can adeptly balance its stress and rest systems. This episode unpacks the science behind HRV and explores the actionable strategies you can employ to improve this critical marker of your overall health.Matt then explores the key lifestyle factors that significantly influence your HRV. He highlights sleep as the most powerful tool for nightly recalibration...
2025-11-1025 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#113 - Modafinil: An All-Nighter In A Pill?Diving into the controversial world of Modafinil, the "all-nighter in a pill", Matt begins with the story of Olympic sprinters using the narcolepsy drug as a loophole for a competitive edge. He then unpacks the science of how Modafinil affects brain chemistry to boost wakefulness and cognition, tracing its evolution from a medical treatment to a performance enhancer for the military, Wall Street, and students, all attempting to push human limits by cheating sleep.Despite its potent effects, Modafinil carries significant risks and ethical dilemmas. Matt discusses its side effects, potential for psychological dependency...
2025-11-0332 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#112 - How Synesthesia Secretly Shapes Your RealityMatt explores the fascinating world of synesthesia today, challenging the notion that it's a rare quirk by proposing a bold claim: in subtle ways, we are all synesthetes. This idea is powerfully demonstrated by the famous "Bouba/Kiki" test, which reveals our brain's innate tendency to connect abstract shapes and sounds. The episode argues that this fundamental cross-wiring is not a mere curiosity but the very operating system for human thought, shaping everything from our metaphors to the development of language itself.The journey continues by exploring how these sensory perceptions can be programmed...
2025-10-2722 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#111 - The Price of SleepFraming sleep not as a biological necessity, but as a critical economic asset, Matt reveals that sleep deprivation costs the U.S. economy up to $411 billion annually, with billions more lost globally. These costs stem from lost workplace productivity, severe cognitive impairment equivalent to intoxication, and massive strains on healthcare and public safety systems due to chronic disease and accidents like drowsy driving.Matt provides the solution: investing in sleep as a powerful economic stimulus. Modest improvements in sleep duration could inject hundreds of billions back into the economy, with corporate sleep programs and...
2025-10-2019 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#110 - The Science Behind Wearable Sleep MonitoringIn this user's guide to sleep trackers, learn the science behind how they work using motion and optical sensors as Matt explains the key metrics of Sensitivity, Specificity, and Accuracy. Revealing why most trackers overestimate sleep by failing to detect wakefulness, he reveals the crucial difference between a device's flawed "absolute accuracy" and its more valuable "relative accuracy," which highlights the importance of tracking long-term trends over single-night scores.Matt goes on to examine peer-reviewed data on the Oura Ring, Apple Watch, and Whoop, and introduces the highly accurate, FDA-cleared Happy Ring with its...
2025-10-131h 02
The Matt Walker Podcast#109 - How to Get More REM SleepMatt takes a deep dive into REM sleep this week, highlighting methods to enhance this vital stage for emotional regulation and creativity. Detailing pharmacological approaches, he focuses on the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and how medications like donepezil and modern DORAs can boost REM sleep, while also identifying common suppressors like alcohol and THC. Throughout the episode, he also emphasizes that the goal is not to maximize one stage but to achieve a balanced sleep architecture.The discussion then covers behavioral and lifestyle strategies, explaining how simple changes like sleeping later into the morning, regular exercise...
2025-10-0651 min
The Matt Walker PodcastCozy Cabin Retreat: A Sleep Story Read by Matt WalkerIn this soothing episode, Matt guides you on your personal sleep story towards deep, restorative rest. He invites you to find comfort and release the day's worries through intentional breathing, transporting you to a cozy, imagined haven bathed in soft lights and calming aromas. As twilight descends, experience the tranquil silence and the moon's gentle glow, replacing any turmoil with profound inner peace.A powerful visualization encourages you to shed thoughts and concerns, picturing them as leaves floating away on a serene river. This practice cultivates gratitude and prepares you to let go completely...
2025-09-2929 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#108 Implanting False Memories Into Your BrainIn this week’s episode, Matt Walker explores memory's astonishing malleability, challenging the belief that recollections are fixed. He highlights Loftus's car crash study, showing how subtle language altered speed memories and implanted false details, and reviews the "Lost in the Mall" experiment which proved fabricated autobiographical memories can be instilled. Matt also notes that neuroimaging reveals false and true memory patterns in the hippocampus are remarkably similar, underscoring memory's deceptive, fluid nature, rather than a factual archive.Our host goes on to discuss groundbreaking research like optogenetics from Tonegawa's lab, demonstrating manipulation to im...
2025-09-2224 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#107 - Medicine 3.0 with Dr. Avinish ReddyFounder & CEO of Elevated Medical, Dr. Avinish Reddy, joins Matt today on this very special episode to discuss a comprehensive approach to longevity. One core theme presented is the profound interconnectedness of physical, mental, and cognitive well-being, essential for true health optimization. Dr. Reddy emphasizes the striking impact of social connection: isolation can increase early death risk by 50%, comparable to smoking. He believes fostering strong social bonds is a fundamental pillar of healthcare, akin to sleep's importance.The discussion highlights advanced diagnostics and actionable lifestyle strategies. Dr. Reddy advocates for precise cardiovascular risk assessment...
2025-09-151h 29
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 22: Latitude, Pain Gating, Temperature & Shift WorkIn this latest AMA instalment, Matt and Dr. Eti Ben Simon begin by discussing environmental influences on sleep. The conversation covers how high latitude and prolonged daylight disrupt circadian rhythms, with Eti sharing her own personal experience. Together, our duo shares strategies for managing light exposure and regulating core body temperature with methods like warm baths. The episode also offers evidence-based approaches for shift workers, including strategic napping and forward-rotating schedules.The discussion then shifts to internal mechanisms, debunking the "sleep before midnight" myth and emphasizing alignment with one's chronotype. The role of the...
2025-09-0845 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#106 - Can A Sleeping Pill Help Fight Alzheimer’s?Matt explores the critical link between sleep and Alzheimer's disease today, explaining how the brain’s "glymphatic system" clears toxic proteins like amyloid and tau during deep sleep. He describes how insufficient sleep impairs this process, creating a vicious cycle where protein accumulation damages sleep-generating brain regions and increases dementia risk.Matt goes on to discuss groundbreaking research on a new class of sleeping pills, Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonists (DORAs), that may enhance this cleaning mechanism. While preliminary human and animal studies show these drugs can reduce toxic proteins and offer neuroprotection, the findings un...
2025-09-0127 min
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 21: Sleep Debt, Snooze Button, Naps & Sleep MythsMatt and Dr. Eti Ben Simon join forces once again to answer all of your top sleep questions. This time around, they break down the science behind the snooze button, why you might be falling asleep during passive activities like watching TV, and the truth about sleep fads like consuming salt before bed or using "grounding sheets." The episode also explores the frustrating issue of sleep fragmentation - waking up multiple times a night - and why it undermines sleep quality even if you fall back asleep quickly.Learn how to assess your own...
2025-08-251h 01
The Matt Walker Podcast#105 - Delta Sleep Inducing PeptidesIn this episode, Matt delves into the curious and cautionary tale of Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide (DSIP), once hailed as a potential miracle cure for insomnia. In the 1970s, researchers were on a quest for a single "somnogenic molecule" that could act as the brain's natural sleep switch. A Swiss team believed they had found it, isolating a peptide that appeared to rapidly induce deep, slow-wave sleep when injected into animals. This initial excitement led to bold claims and sparked decades of research into what seemed to be a revolutionary breakthrough in sleep science.However...
2025-08-1821 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#104 - Humans Can Navigate Like BatsMatt explores the human capacity for echolocation this week, dismantling the myth that this "biological sonar" is exclusive to animals. Revealing how peer-reviewed research shows all human brains possess the neural hardware to "see" with sound, Matt explains the physics of how sound creates detailed acoustic maps of our environment and introduces the brain's remarkable plasticity, setting the stage for this incredible sensory adaptation.The episode features stories of pioneers like Daniel Kish, who use echolocation to navigate with astonishing precision. Matt discusses groundbreaking studies from UC Berkeley and Durham University, where brain scans...
2025-08-1124 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#103 - 172 Diseases, One Hidden (Sleep) Cause?While we've long been told to focus on the quantity of our sleep, in today’s episode, Matt suggests a paradigm shift in our understanding of sleep health. He argues that the true cornerstone may not be how many hours we get, but the consistency of our sleep schedule. This concept of regularity - maintaining a stable bedtime and wake-time - is presented as the most impactful of four key sleep components, which also include the more familiar aspects of quantity, quality, and timing.Matt supports this perspective with findings fr...
2025-08-0429 min
The Matt Walker PodcastThe Dreamer's Embrace: A Sleep Story Read by Matt WalkerSettle in for a deeply comforting experience as Matt returns with a gentle voyage aboard "The Dreamer." This sleep story is crafted to soothe the heart and quiet the mind, creating a perfect sanctuary for rest. Tonight, we journey to a peaceful, seaside village to meet Henry, an elderly widower whose sleepless nights are filled with a profound sense of loss and treasured memories of his late wife, Margaret. As Henry steps onto the boat, feeling the weight of his grief begin to soften with the rhythmic sway of the waves, Matt's words paint a...
2025-07-2829 min
After SkoolThe Scientific Formula for Perfect Sleep - Matt Walker | After SkoolThe Scientific Formula for Perfect Sleep - Matt WalkerMatthew Walker is Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and Founder and Director of the Center for Human Sleep Science. He has received funding awards from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, and is a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences. He has been featured on numerous television and radio outlets, including CBS 60 Minutes, National Geographic Channel, NOVA Science, NRP and the BBC.As an academic, Walker has focused on the impact of sleep on human health. He has contributed to...
2025-07-2241 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#102 - Mouth TapingThis week, Matt examines the viral trend of mouth taping, a practice touted as a remedy for snoring and sleep apnea. He explains the core theory, which centers on promoting the benefits of nasal over mouth breathing, before critically assessing whether this popular ritual is a scientifically sound solution or a risky trend whose dangers are lost amidst the online hype.Matt navigates the scientific evidence, revealing a cautionary tale: while preliminary data suggests a potential benefit for a select group with mild obstructive sleep apnea, he sounds a marked alarm for those with moderate to severe...
2025-07-2125 min
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 20: Sleep Under the InfluenceIn their latest Ask Me Anything episode, Matt and Dr. Eti Ben Simon delve into the complex relationship between common substances and sleep. They first tackle cannabis, explaining that while THC may initially help with sleep onset, its chronic use is detrimental, leading to tolerance, withdrawal insomnia, and a powerful suppression of restorative REM sleep. The discussion then moves to two other major sleep disruptors: caffeine and alcohol. You'll learn how caffeine's long half-life can reduce deep sleep by up to 40% even when consumed in the afternoon, and how alcohol, despite its sedative properties, severely fragments sleep and decimates...
2025-07-141h 04
The Matt Walker Podcast#101 - The Sleep Prescription To Better Immunity with Dr. Aric PratherMatt welcomes UCSF sleep expert Dr. Aric Prather to the podcast this week to discuss the science of psychoneuroimmunology: the link between our behavior and immune health. After a primer on the immune system’s innate and adaptive arms, Dr. Prather details how insufficient sleep dramatically increases your risk of catching a cold, significantly blunts vaccine effectiveness by reducing antibody response, and promotes a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation - a known pathway to numerous age-related diseases.Ultimately, the conversation illuminates a profound and actionable truth: sleep is arguably our most powerful, yet tragically ov...
2025-07-0754 min
The Matt Walker PodcastThe Dreamer Boat: Sophia's Journey, A Sleep Story, read by Matt WalkerPrepare for a tranquil journey into sleep as Matt returns with a voyage aboard "The Dreamer." Let go of the day's events and allow your mind to quiet as we travel to a busy coastal town. Tonight, you’ll meet Sophia, a painter whose vibrant and expressive works reflect the world around her, yet finds her own nights restless and her mind unable to settle. Her creativity is blocked and her thoughts race, keeping peaceful sleep just out of reach.Just as she sits by her window, watching the waves, a familiar, gentle vessel ap...
2025-06-2329 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#100 - Sleep As The Fountain Of (Facial) YouthMatt delves into the science of "beauty sleep" this week, revealing it as somewhat of a scientific reality. He highlights research by Dr. Tina Sundelin, which demonstrates that sleep-deprived individuals are consistently perceived as less healthy, more fatigued, and less attractive. These visible changes are rooted in biological consequences like dilated under-eye blood vessels and elevated cortisol, a hormone that degrades vital skin collagen.Matt then differentiates between expression wrinkles and a distinct second class, sleep wrinkles, which are caused by the mechanical compression of the face against a pillow. To mitigate their formation...
2025-06-1636 min
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 19: The Sleep Science of HerDr. Eti Ben Simon returns for yet another AMA episode, this time specifically focussing on sleep and women. Together, they delve into the nuanced differences in sleep patterns between men and women, exploring aspects like sleep duration, quality, and architecture, including variations in deep sleep and REM sleep. They discuss how females generally sleep slightly longer, experience fewer awakenings, and have more deep sleep early in the night, alongside a quicker onset of REM sleep. The conversation also touches upon the potential health risks associated with shift work, particularly night shifts, highlighting an observed associational link with increased risks...
2025-06-091h 12
The Matt Walker Podcast#99 - Insomnia in 7 Days with Dr. Aric PratherSleep expert Dr. Aric Prather joins Matt today for a fascinating discussion about insomnia's frustrating reality: trying to force sleep backfires; sleep arrives naturally. Dr. Prather highlights a surprising starting point: forget focusing on bedtime, prioritize a consistent wake-up time, even weekends. Noting that this anchors your internal clock and builds essential sleep pressure (the 'balloon'), he also cautions that sleeping in after a bad night disrupts this cycle. After touching on societal factors impacting sleep, the conversation shifts to managing the mental side—the stress and anxiety creating that 'tired but wired' state. Dr. Prather shares pra...
2025-06-021h 01
The Matt Walker PodcastThe Dreamer Boat - A Sleep Story Read by Matt WalkerDrift into tranquility tonight as Matt pilots your voyage to a deeply restful slumber in this calming sleep narrative. Prepare to release the day's hold and find solace on a serene sea, where the rhythm of the waves and the canopy of stars invite peaceful repose. Picture yourself embraced by the gentle motion of the water, the day's warmth slowly giving way to the cool embrace of a twilight sky, speckled with distant, shimmering lights. You will encounter "The Dreamer," a special vessel with a unique mission: to seek out souls yearning for serenity, such as a seasoned...
2025-05-2629 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#98 - Weighted BlanketsMatt delves into the science of weighted blankets for sleep improvement in this week’s episode. These heavy covers (10-40 lbs) utilize Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS), a concept originating from Dr. Temple Grandin's 1960s work. DPS is theorized to shift the nervous system from "fight-or-flight" to a calmer parasympathetic state by potentially increasing serotonin and activating brain regions involved in emotional regulation, like the insular cortex, thereby fostering a state conducive to sleep.Matt describes research whose highlights include a 2020 study where 42% of insomnia patients achieved remission with weighted blankets, and a 2021 study that sh...
2025-05-1934 min
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 18: From Phone Radiation & Paralysis to Full Moons & EarwormsMatt and Dr. Eti Ben Simone are back again today to answer even more of your brilliant sleep questions! They begin by discussing smartphones, noting that the direct EMF impact on brainwaves is debatable, but that psychological activation and blue light are known disruptors. Moving onto naps, Matt explains longer ones can cause "sleep inertia," while short naps (20 mins) can be beneficial, unless insomnia is present.They then examine the full moon's debated effect on sleep, and how it is possibly obscured by modern lighting. Sleep paralysis is then explained as consciousness returning before...
2025-05-1250 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#97 - Night TerrorsMatt takes the opportunity this week to explore the perplexing sleep phenomenon of night terrors (sleep terrors). Matt clarifies that these are distinct from nightmares, defining them as parasomnias arising from abrupt arousals out of deep Non-REM sleep, not REM sleep where dreaming occurs. He details the often dramatic symptoms – intense fear, screaming, sweating, rapid breathing, confusion, sometimes thrashing or sleepwalking – emphasizing the typical lack of memory of the event afterward. Matt discusses prevalence, noting night terrors primarily affect children (1-6%, peaking ages 3-5) and are usually outgrown, while adult cases (
2025-05-0525 min
The Matt Walker PodcastCelestial Slumbers - A Sleep Story Read by Matt WalkerEmbark on a celestial journey tonight as Matt guides you through the vast expanse of the night sky in this soothing sleep story. Prepare to travel amongst the stars, exploring the constellations that have captivated humanity for millennia. Imagine yourself lying comfortably beneath the heavens on a warm evening, the stars twinkling like distant fireflies. Feel the gentle night air as you connect with the awe and wonder felt by ancient civilizations who gazed upon these same cosmic patterns, weaving myths and legends into the very fabric of the universe.Allow the gentle cadence...
2025-04-2817 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#96 - Nine Unknown Functions of Dream SleepThis week, Matt dismantles the myth that REM sleep only benefits the mind by revealing its profound importance for physical health. While deep sleep handles some repair, Matt details how REM is crucial for peak testosterone and growth hormone release, vital for muscle, bone, libido, tissue repair, and metabolism. He explains that REM's characteristic muscle paralysis (atonia) isn't just for safety; it fosters physical recovery by enabling deep muscle relaxation, boosting blood flow, lowering cortisol, and regulating inflammatory cytokines.Matt further explores how REM resets the body's thermostat, enhances cardiovascular health through heart rate...
2025-04-2126 min
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 17: Tracker Accuracy, 3 AM Wake ups, Sleep Onset & MoreIn this latest AMA episode, Matt and Dr. Eti Ben Simon tackle even more listener questions regarding any and all aspects of sleep. Today, they discuss sleep tracker accuracy, noting that while nightly data isn't perfect (~75-85% accurate), weekly trends are reliable. Feeling exhausted despite good tracker metrics? Potential causes include fragmented sleep, circadian issues, undiagnosed disorders (like apnea), or tracker-induced anxiety (orthosomnia). Matt and Eti stress consulting a specialist for persistent fatigue and focusing on long-term data patterns.They also explore why many wake around 3:30 AM, linking it to shifts into lighter sleep stages and hormonal...
2025-04-141h 04
The Matt Walker Podcast#95 - Circadian Rhythms, Travel, and Athlete Optimization with Dr. Cheri MahDr. Cheri Mah returns to the podcast today to explore a few different topics including how circadian rhythms shape athletic performance. She notes that these 24-hour cycles regulate sleep, hormones, and core temperature, with peak physical capacity often occurring between 4-8 pm—when many world records are set. Dr. Mah also discusses chronotypes, showing how tailoring training to one’s natural rhythm can enhance results. She reveals research on circadian disruption in sports, notably how West Coast NFL teams outperform East Coast teams in night games due to a three-hour body clock advantage. The episode also covers jet l...
2025-04-071h 00
The Matt Walker PodcastClara and the Twilight Garden - A Sleep Story Read by Matt WalkerFind tranquility in a secret setting as Matt guides you through tonight's sleep story set in "The Twilight Garden." Meet Clara, the lamp keeper, who lovingly tends to the hundreds of lanterns that illuminate this hidden haven. On this particular evening, a grieving visitor arrives, seeking solace and a way to remember a lost loved one. As Clara shares the garden's quiet magic and the healing power of light, you'll be enveloped in the garden's peaceful atmosphere, filled with the scent of lavender and the soft glow of lanterns.Let your imagination stroll along...
2025-03-2422 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#94 - Dream Sleep for the BodyIn today’s episode, Matt challenges the notion that REM sleep is solely for the brain, revealing its broad impact on physical health. He delves into REM's role in regulating testosterone and growth hormone, crucial for muscle function. Our host also highlights how REM aids muscle recovery via paralysis, boosting blood flow and supporting protein synthesis.Beyond muscles, Matt explores REM's effects on temperature regulation and heart health by boosting heart rate variability and promoting stress resilience. He also uncovers REM's surprising links to reproductive and immune health, from genital blood flow to enhanced im...
2025-03-1729 min
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 16: Dream Time, Circadian Changes, & Night SweatsMatt and Dr. Eti Ben Simon team up to answer more audience questions today, and begin by delving into the subjective experience of time during dreams, exploring how our perception stretches and compresses during REM sleep and whether we can hack our dreams. They also explain the cognitive, emotional, hormonal, and immunological consequences of pulling an all-nighter, highlighting the dramatic impact on memory consolidation, stress hormones, appetite regulation, and immune function. The cardiovascular and metabolic repercussions are also addressed underscoring the serious health risks associated with chronic sleep deprivation.The discussion shifts to the societal bias favoring...
2025-03-1052 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#93 - Sleeping Pills and their Alternatives with Dr. Ranji VargheseMatt Walker welcomes Dr. Ranji Varghese back to the podcast today to complete the whole sleeping pill story by discussing newer sleeping pills, beyond benzos and Z-drugs. Together, they explore Melatonin receptor agonists (like Ramelteon) that signal sleep preparation, unlike sedating GABAergics. They also detail how DORAs inhibit the wakefulness-promoting orexin, how off-label options (ex. trazodone, low-dose doxepin) affect histamine, the risks and benefits of each.Dr. Varghese goes on to explain the mechanisms and side effect profile for each sleeping pill, including over the counter options. He stresses that all medications carry risk and require careful u...
2025-03-031h 00
The Matt Walker PodcastThe Archives of Lost Letters - A Sleep Story Read by Matt WalkerEscape into a world of untold stories with Matt as he guides you through tonight's sleep story set in "The Archive of Lost Letters." Meet Stephanie, the archivist, who tends to letters never sent, filled with unspoken confessions and unshared truths. Tonight, a visitor arrives, searching for a lost piece of himself. As Stephanie helps him uncover a forgotten letter, you'll be enveloped in the library's quiet atmosphere, filled with the scent of old parchment and the weight of unspoken words.Let your imagination wander through the endless shelves of envelopes as the soft...
2025-02-2416 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#92 - The Healing Powers of SleepThis week Matt explores dreams, questioning if their specific content matters beyond the normal benefits of REM sleep. This episode examines dreaming's significance for creativity, memory integration, and its role as emotional first aid.The discussion then introduces a "hot off the press" study showing how dreams might help us shed unwanted memories, with insights into how REM sleep acts as a nocturnal soothing balm for emotional distress. The episode shares how REM sleep can take the painful edges off traumatic experiences, especially when dreams engage with the emotional content.Please n...
2025-02-1722 min
Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD30. Dr. Matt Walker: The Sleep Habit That's Secretly Aging You (and How to Fix It)How many nights have you told yourself you'll catch up on sleep later? You push through exhaustion, thinking it's just part of life. But here's the truth: chronic sleep deprivation isn't just making you tired—it's rewiring your brain, disrupting your hormones, and holding you back from living your best life. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with sleep expert Dr. Matt Walker to dive into why sleep is the ultimate game changer for your health. We unpack how poor sleep impacts everything from your memory to your metabolism and share science-backed tips to improve yo...
2025-02-111h 48
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 15: Beauty Sleep, Naps, 3 AM Wake-Ups & Axl Rose with Dr. Eti Ben SimonIn 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.The discussion then turns to practical strategies for managing...
2025-02-101h 09
The Matt Walker Podcast#91 - Sleep, Ambien, Memory, and Alzheimer'sThis 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 waste removal process active during deep sleep. New research demonstrates that Ambien reduces the glymphatic s...
2025-02-0338 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#90 - Sleep as Fuel for Athletes with Dr. Cheri MahJoin 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, reaction time, and mental resilience. Dr. Mah also shares insights into the s...
2025-01-201h 08
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 14: Sleep, AI, Space, and SuperpowersIn 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 the development...
2025-01-1356 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#89 - Does Catch-up Sleep Work?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 sleep debt and doesn’t f...
2025-01-0630 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#88 - Sleep & Sleeping Pills with Dr. Ranji VargheseMatt 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 initiate or maintain sleep, are typically used...
2024-12-231h 03
The Matt Walker PodcastBeneath a Highland Moon - A Sleep Story Read by Matt WalkerEmbark 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...
2024-12-1622 min
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 13: Circadian Rhythms, Biphasic Sleep, Gut Health, and Animal Sleep SecretsMatt 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 the DEC2 gene variant. Additionally, the episode unravels the evolutionary basis of bip...
2024-12-0256 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#86 - Sleeping Pills & Weight LossJoin Matt today as he explores the fascinating intersection of sleep, metabolism, and weight management, delving into the science of dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs). This episode dissects a groundbreaking study on suvorexant (Belsomra), an FDA-approved insomnia medication, and its potential to enhance fat burning during sleep. Matt unpacks the role of orexin, a neuropeptide crucial for wakefulness, and explains how DORAs work by targeting orexin receptors to promote natural sleep. This preliminary research, conducted on healthy young men, reveals suvorexant's intriguing ability to not only improve sleep quality, but also increase fat oxidation while preserving muscle m...
2024-11-2524 min
The Matt Walker PodcastStarlight Stroll - A Sleep Story Read by Matt WalkerEscape the everyday and drift off to dreamland with Matt’s guided sleep story. Together, we'll journey through tranquil landscapes, from moonlit valleys to sun-dappled forests, letting the soothing sounds and imagery lull you into a peaceful slumber. This is a sleep story designed to ease your mind and gently guide you into a deep, restful sleep. If you find yourself struggling to unwind after a long day, allow this narrative to transport you to a place of tranquility and calm. Release your worries and embrace the stillness of the night as we embark on this relaxing journey to...
2024-11-1823 min
The Matt Walker Podcast#85 - The Power and Limits of Memory with Dr. Charan RanganathMatt dives deep into the science of memory with renowned neuroscientist Dr. Charan Ranganath, author of Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold On to What Matters in today’s episode. Together, they explore the complex relationship between memory and the brain, touching on the roles of emotional significance, context, and even neuromodulators like dopamine in helping our brains decide which memories to retain and which to discard. Dr. Ranganath shares his unique journey into memory research and insights from his pioneering work at the Dynamic Memory Lab at UC...
2024-11-1151 min
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 12 - Meds, Pets, Sleeping Naked, and So Much More with Dr. Eti Ben SimonIn Matt’s latest installment of his "Ask Me Anything" series, he once again joins forces with Dr. Eti Ben Simon to address a wide spectrum of listener questions. Beginning with a dive into the fascinating connections between sleep and medication effects, they unpack the ways various medications can impact sleep quality and patterns, from increasing alertness to potentially triggering vivid dreams or insomnia. Eti also brings a unique perspective on how different medications influence REM sleep and how timing your dosage may alleviate some side effects, highlighting the importance of discussing these nuances with a healthcare provider....
2024-11-041h 04
The Matt Walker PodcastAsk Me Anything Part 11 - Falling Asleep, Staying Asleep, and False AwakeningsMatt and Eti return today for another AMA session where they dive into even more fascinating and often quirky sleep questions that have been submitted by listeners. In this installment, our duo explores the evolutionary puzzle of why we sleep, despite the apparent risks it poses for survival. They also share insights into how early organisms, like earthworms, exhibit sleep-like states, which raises the question: did wakefulness evolve from sleep?As the episode continues, the pair tackle practical questions from listeners on how to fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Relaxation techniques like deep...
2024-10-0759 min
The Checkup with Doctor MikeWhat Your Bedtime Says About You with Professor Matt WalkerProfessor Matthew Walker is a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, USA. He is also the founder and director of the Center for Human Sleep Science. If you've got sleep questions, he's your guy. We talked about chronotypes, or the category of sleeper you may fall into. It turns out, whether you're an early riser or a night owl might not actually be your "fault", and in fact it may have been something you were born with. Don't forget to leave a 5 star review with a medical question in the body of it and...
2022-11-161h 17
Philosophica#210 – Matt Walker: Sleep Podcast: Lex Fridman Podcast (LS 77 · TOP 0.01% what is this?)Episode: #210 – Matt Walker: SleepPub date: 2021-08-11Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationMatt Walker is a sleep scientist at Berkeley, author of Why We Sleep, and the host of a new podcast called The Matt Walker Podcast. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Stamps.com: https://stamps.com and use code LEX to get free postage & scale
– Squarespace: https://lexfridman.com/squarespace and use code LEX to ge...
2021-08-122h 56
Lex Fridman Podcast#210 – Matt Walker: SleepMatt Walker is a sleep scientist at Berkeley, author of Why We Sleep, and the host of a new podcast called The Matt Walker Podcast. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Stamps.com: https://stamps.com and use code LEX to get free postage & scale
– Squarespace: https://lexfridman.com/squarespace and use code LEX to get 10% off
– Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
– BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off
– Onnit: https...
2021-08-1100 min