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 pills Explain why individuals wean oof of medications Touch upon the dangers and risks of discontinuing sleeping pills Explore why discontinuing medicat...
Dec 02, 2024•41 min
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 Bearaby weighted blankets and unique pillows Boka nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste Dore and Rose mulberry silk sleep mask Loop Dream earplugs for sleep L...
Nov 25, 2024•27 min
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 Go through a comprehensive list of items to help with sleep on a plane List some strategies for hitting the ground running when you arrive Produced b...
Nov 18, 2024•34 min
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 about sleep deprivation and weight gain Sort through the different data on weight gain and one theory about the mixed results Produced by: Maeve Winter M...
Nov 11, 2024•26 min
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 grief Differentiate different grief subsets: late life spousal bereavement, complex grief, parental grief Follow patterns of grief: resilient, recovering...
Nov 04, 2024•28 min
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 disappears list some causes of fear of the dark understand why there may be an evolutionary cause for the disorder discuss treatments aimed at minimizing f...
Oct 28, 2024•31 min
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 causes of the disorder review the treatments for enuresis touch upon adult enuresis Produced by: Maeve Winter More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwint...
Oct 21, 2024•33 min
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 linking the threat of hurricanes to declining sleep quality and quantity in adults and children Understand that the sleep risk extends well beyond th...
Oct 14, 2024•29 min
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 York Times article entitled How The Pursuit of Perfect Sleep Can Backfire Define "sleepmaxxing" Discuss the pros of celebrating more/better sleep publi...
Oct 07, 2024•29 min
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: discuss the ways in which the media "rank" various sleep products dive into the ways in which these ratings are determined contrast this with the relativel...
Sep 30, 2024•28 min
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 upon the numbers when it comes to sleep apnea Understand why there is a market for sleep apnea detection Describe the technology Apple uses to detect...
Sep 23, 2024•33 min
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 variables that change with the season Examine various sleep stages and how seasons affect their quality and quantity Dive into new research suggesting tha...
Sep 16, 2024•28 min
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 neurology and restless legs expert Update and supplement information from episode #13 of this podcast about restless legs syndrome (RLS) Explore the role of ...
Sep 09, 2024•40 min
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 research into guidelines for dealing effectively with sleep debt Differentiate between sleep debt responses in insomnia sufferers and sleep deprived ind...
Sep 02, 2024•25 min
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 relationship between inflammation and sleep Understand how cytokines play a role in the inflammatory cascade, but also in sleep regulation Learn the circumstan...
Aug 26, 2024•32 min
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 airway resistance syndrome (UARS) review the concept and pathophysiology of upper airway resistance contrast how this disorder is defined in comparison to...
Aug 19, 2024•30 min
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 Discuss disorders associated with the disorder Touch upon ways to assess sleepwalking Emphasize treatments and how to make environments safe for slee...
Aug 12, 2024•37 min
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 much sleep one needs to sleep Define the "Good Night Rebound Bias" Learn how perception impacts sleep Describe how sleep journals can be made into more p...
Aug 05, 2024•29 min
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 early attention. In this episode we will: Discuss the history of medications being tested as potential treatments for sleep apnea Review how sleep ap...
Jul 28, 2024•38 min
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 circadian rhythm diminishes with age Spotlight the role of exercise in the sleep of seniors Look at various sleep disorders of the elderly List the conseque...
Jul 22, 2024•31 min
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 and how their relationships might affect sleep Review the 4 stages of the menstrual cycle and how they often impact sleep Look at interventions related...
Jul 15, 2024•35 min
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 Method Understand how sleep timing/chronotype plays a role is sleep compatibility Learn how sleep-related movements change over time in a relationship Eval...
Jul 08, 2024•30 min
"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 tool Define hypnosis and learn why a failure to agree on a definition of hypnosis hurts research List common signs of hypnosis Evaluate two literature ...
Jul 01, 2024•31 min
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 Evaluate the research linking air quality measures and sleep metrics in different countries List the possible mechanisms through which air quality might...
Jun 24, 2024•31 min
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 upon how we look for and measure sleep deprivation Contrast sleep deprivation with insomnia List some common causes of sleep deprivation Discuss treatmen...
Jun 17, 2024•30 min
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 studies demonstrating poor sleep leading to selecting more processed and higher sugar content foods. Examine how extroversion leads to higher caloric conte...
Jun 10, 2024•39 min
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 and serve and a late-night coffee substitute Review the Python H2 Bionic Molecular Hydrogen Water Bottle and learn more about emerging research on hyd...
Jun 03, 2024•33 min
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 obstacles that often prevent those serving in the military from getting adequate sleep Discuss the consequences of inadequate sleep in the armed forces T...
May 27, 2024•29 min
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, food, and attitudes around sleep Use these 100 tips as a proactive guide for improving sleep and knowing which previous episodes of the podcast migh...
May 20, 2024•27 min
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 inadequate sleep to dementia Single out Lewy body dementia as a particular concern when sleep is chronically disrupted Determine how much sleep seems to be...
May 13, 2024•31 min
