Neuroscientist Matthew Walker On Why Sleep Is Your Superpower

Rich Roll Podcast

Podcast Notes Key Takeaways “Sleep is not an optional lifestyle luxury, it is a non-negotiable biological necessity. It is your life support system.” – Dr. Matthew WalkerShort sleep has damaging effects on the cardiovascular system, weight, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, immune function, memory, and moodIf you deprive a healthy adult of sleep or deep sleep for just one night – there’s an immediate increase in beta-amyloid proteins (present in Alzheimer’s)We’ve learned more about sleep in the past 50 years than we have in the previous 5,000 yearsFigure out chronotype and sleep in accordance with that – don’t get sucked in to “rise and grind” culture – it doesn’t work for everyone“The shorter your sleep, the shorter your life. Short sleep predicts all-cause mortality.” – Dr. Matthew WalkerAnxiety is the principal cause of anxiety – for better sleep, get physical activity and deal with anxiety non-pharmacologically (try meditation)“Is there any system in the body or mind that isn’t wonderfully enhanced when we get sleep and isn’t demonstrably impaired when we don’t? The answer seems to be no.” – Dr. Matthew Walker“Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do each day to reset our brain and our body.” – Dr. Matthew WalkerFor better sleep, control: temperature, regularity, caffeine and alcohol intake, exercise, and physical activity Teens and adolescents need more sleep – they’re not just lazyNaps are a double-edged sword: if you have trouble sleeping, do not nap; if you sleep well at night napping before 2 pm is ok Melatonin can be used when traveling through different time zones to acclimate but not recommended as a daily supplement People who only sleep with sleeping pills experience rebound effects in which sleep is actually worse when they stop

Read the full notes @ podcastnotes.org

Why do we sleep? What exactly happens when we sleep and why is it so important? What are the implications of sleep deprivation? And what can we do to improve our sleep hygiene?

Answering these questions is the life’s work Dr. Matthew Walker.

Longtime listeners know that I am obsessed with sleep and the critical role it plays in every facet of health. This infatuation is driven in no small part by the incredible work of today’s guest, one of the world’s leading neuroscientists and researchers in the field of sleep science.

Matriculating at Nottingham University where he studied neuroscience, Matthew earned his Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the Medical Research Council in London, subsequently became a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and is currently a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he serves as the founder and director of the Center for Human Sleep Science.

In addition, Matthew hosts a MasterClass on the science of better sleep. His TED Talk, ‘Sleep is your superpower’ has over 20 million views. And his international smash bestselling book Why We Sleep—a must-read for anyone and everyone looking to live and feel better—provides the framework for today’s mind-blowing, slumber-focused primer.

To put it rather bluntly, this conversation covers everything you need and ever wanted to know about sleep, including:

why do we sleep?what happens to our bodies and minds when we sleepwhy is sleep so important?what happens when we don’t get enough?what is the deal with dreams, sleepwalking & sleep paralysis?what are the various stages of sleep (REM, deep, etc.)?what can we do to prioritize and improve our sleep? 

In addition, Dr. Walker answers the questions like: how do caffeine and alcohol affect sleep? Why do our sleep patterns change across a lifetime? What is the relationship between sleep, immunity, weight gain, and mood? And most critical: how do we resolve the global sleep-loss epidemic?

All told, this is an utterly fascinating masterclass on why you must rethink your relationship with sleep and the profound short and long-term impacts sleep has on every facet of our lives from learning to mood, productivity, energy, hormone regulation, longevity, and even susceptibility to cancer and other diseases.

To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

I urge all of you to absorb this conversation in its entirety. Whip out your pen and paper—this is essential, potentially life-altering listening for every human. And simply put, it’s everything I hoped it would be.

Listen, Watch & Subscribe

Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

Thanks to this week’s sponsors

Blinkist: Unlimited access to read or listen to a massive library of condensed non-fiction books from self-help, to business, health, and history—all for one low price. Join me and 12 million others gleaning from the best and brightest. Try Blinkist FREE for 7 days AND get 25% off a Blinkist Premium membership at blinkist.com/richroll

LMNT: A science-backed electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. The formula is super high-caliber, it’s plant-based with no sugar, fillers, gluten, or sketchy ingredients. My new favorite flavor is Watermelon Salt – it’s definitely going to be a staple for my hot afternoon runs this summer. Try it out at drinkLMNT.com/RICHROLL.

ROKA: Cutting edge eyewear & apparel built for top performance. Ultralight construction. Arms-Up Design. Official USAT Partner. If you’re active like me and wear prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, ROKA combines the no-slip performance you’ve been waiting for with fashionable frames. Visit roka.com and enter code RichRoll for 20% off.

Birch Living: The best, most affordable, organic, and sustainable mattresses on the market with a 100-night risk-free trial. 1% of each purchase is donated to the National Forest Foundation and Birch purchases carbon offsets for each mattress sold. For $200 off ALL mattress orders, visit BirchLiving.com/RichRoll

SHOW NOTES

Connect with Matthew: Website | Twitter | LinkedinBerkeley: Matthew Walker, PhDBerkeley: Center For Human Sleep ScienceFinancial Times: Sleep expert Matthew Walker on the secret to a good night’s restTED: Sleep is your superpower | Matt WalkerThe Guardian: ‘Sleep should be prescribed’: what those late nights out could be costing youMasterclass: Matthew Walker Teaches the Science of Better SleepMasterclass: Matthew Walker’s 11 Tips for Improving Sleep QualityNPR: Matthew Walker: Why Is It Essential To Make Time For Sleep?Independent: 14 of the biggest sleep myths debunkedThe Lancet: A sleep prescription for medicineThe Guardian: How to boost your business? Let workers sleepTech Insider: 5 Tips For Falling Asleep Quicker, According To A Sleep ExpertTech Insider: How To Tell If You’re Sleep DeprivedTech Insider: What Happens To Your Brain When You DreamTech Insider: What Happens To Your Body And Brain If You Don’t Get SleepTech Insider: How Lucid Dreaming WorksTech Insider: How To Take The Ideal Nap And Avoid Bad Sleep

For 1000s of delicious, customized plant-based recipes & so much more, check out our Plantpower Meal Planner

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE PODCAST?

Tell Your Friends & Share Online!

Subscribe & Review:  iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts

Donate: Check out our Patreon account

Support The Sponsors: One of the best ways to support the podcast is to support our sponsors. For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity url's and discount codes, visit my Resources page and click "Sponsors".

Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for production, audio engineering and show notes; Margo Lubin and Blake Curtis for video, editing and graphics; portraits by Ali Rogers & Davy Greenberg; copywriting by Georgia Whaley; and theme music by Tyler Piatt. Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.

*Disclosure: Books and products denoted with an asterisk are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.