Episode
The "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
1:11:58
Published: Tue Dec 14 2021
Description
Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep" was one of the most popular and acclaimed wellness books of 2017. There's just one problem: Much of it isn't true. Thanks to University of Ottawa Postdoctoral Fellow Dylan Smith for helping us with the research!Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!Walker's TED TalkAlexey's blog post: Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep" Is Riddled with Scientific and Factual ErrorsWalker’s ResponseTrouble With TEDDoes daylight savings kill people?Why We Sleep: A Tale Of Institutional FailureIs Matthew Walker’s “Why We Sleep” Riddled with Scientific and Factual Errors?Up All Night: The science of sleeplessnessExploring the Necessity and Virtue of SleepWhy Do We Sleep?Siesta in Healthy Adults and Coronary Mortality in the General PopulationA Chronobiological Evaluation of the Acute Effects of Daylight Saving Time on Traffic Accident RiskHas Adult Sleep Duration Declined Over the Last 50+ Years?Americans Are Sleeping More, If Not Necessarily BetterHigh-profile sleep researcher loses paper for duplicationSupport the show
Chapters
The podcast host discusses their personal struggles with sleep anxiety and shares some tips for winding down before bed, while also acknowledging that some popular sleep hacks may not be effective for everyone.
00:00 - 02:08 (02:08)
Summary
The podcast host discusses their personal struggles with sleep anxiety and shares some tips for winding down before bed, while also acknowledging that some popular sleep hacks may not be effective for everyone.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker discusses various theories of sleep such as sleep being a way to avoid predators and also mentions how the amount of sleep required varies for different people.
02:08 - 05:25 (03:17)
Summary
The speaker discusses various theories of sleep such as sleep being a way to avoid predators and also mentions how the amount of sleep required varies for different people.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Sleeping plays a vital role in overall brain health, as the brain experiences a "washout" process during sleep where spinal fluids flush out identified proteins.
05:25 - 08:24 (02:58)
Summary
Sleeping plays a vital role in overall brain health, as the brain experiences a "washout" process during sleep where spinal fluids flush out identified proteins. This has been observed in mice, but is yet to be proven in humans.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The amount of sleep a person needs to function well varies from person to person; while some require seven hours or more, others can flourish on only five or six hours of sleep a night.
08:24 - 13:28 (05:04)
Summary
The amount of sleep a person needs to function well varies from person to person; while some require seven hours or more, others can flourish on only five or six hours of sleep a night. Moreover, getting a healthy night's sleep does not solely depend on the amount of sleep, but the quality of sleep is also a crucial factor that contributes to a healthy lifestyle.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Matthew Walker, author of "Why We Sleep", shares his research on the importance of sleep for the human body and mind, debunking myths about sleep and highlighting the dire consequences of sleep deprivation.
13:28 - 16:57 (03:29)
Summary
Matthew Walker, author of "Why We Sleep", shares his research on the importance of sleep for the human body and mind, debunking myths about sleep and highlighting the dire consequences of sleep deprivation.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The author connects proper sleep patterns to avoiding conditions such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and even dementia, all while emphasizing the importance of getting eight hours of rest each night.
16:57 - 22:40 (05:42)
Summary
The author connects proper sleep patterns to avoiding conditions such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and even dementia, all while emphasizing the importance of getting eight hours of rest each night. However, this narrow focus on sleep as the sole factor influencing health may fail to consider deeper aspects of social and economic inequality.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker rants about the excessive focus on developing technology like machine learning for adjusting bedroom temperature, while the more pressing issue of expanding food stamps to allow for buying fresh food for children is being ignored.
22:40 - 27:15 (04:34)
Summary
The speaker rants about the excessive focus on developing technology like machine learning for adjusting bedroom temperature, while the more pressing issue of expanding food stamps to allow for buying fresh food for children is being ignored.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker talks about a public figure who makes vague claims without providing any concrete policies, leading to suspicion and a need for further investigation into their legitimacy.
27:16 - 31:01 (03:44)
Summary
The speaker talks about a public figure who makes vague claims without providing any concrete policies, leading to suspicion and a need for further investigation into their legitimacy. The speaker creates a spreadsheet to track the claims and check for errors and inaccuracies.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Sleeping too little and too much can both increase mortality rates, with the highest risk being from those who sleep more than 10 hours a night.
31:01 - 37:46 (06:45)
Summary
Sleeping too little and too much can both increase mortality rates, with the highest risk being from those who sleep more than 10 hours a night. However, the link between sleep and cancer is still unclear.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Researchers have found a spike in deaths and accidents the week after daylight saving time due to the sudden shift in sleep schedules affecting driving abilities and overall health.
37:46 - 40:48 (03:02)
Summary
Researchers have found a spike in deaths and accidents the week after daylight saving time due to the sudden shift in sleep schedules affecting driving abilities and overall health.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The average amount of sleep that humans should be getting is often debated in today's society.
40:48 - 46:18 (05:29)
Summary
The average amount of sleep that humans should be getting is often debated in today's society. With the constant use of technological devices and long work hours, people might actually be sleeping less than they used to in previous times. Studies have shown that hunter-gatherer tribes sleep the same as modern humans, but it's still unclear if we should be following their patterns for optimal health.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
This podcast discusses how technical bro culture might be encouraging the rise-and-grind attitude, which is dangerous and may affect people's mental health.
46:18 - 51:05 (04:47)
Summary
This podcast discusses how technical bro culture might be encouraging the rise-and-grind attitude, which is dangerous and may affect people's mental health.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
A small study by Matthew Walker has been called into question due to its methodology, which suggests a U-shaped relationship rather than a straight line.
51:05 - 58:50 (07:44)
Summary
A small study by Matthew Walker has been called into question due to its methodology, which suggests a U-shaped relationship rather than a straight line. Despite controversy, Walker has yet to publicly acknowledge the study.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus, is being called out for making exaggerated claims about the relationship between sleep and cancer in his book, The Power of When.
58:50 - 1:02:30 (03:40)
Summary
The Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus, is being called out for making exaggerated claims about the relationship between sleep and cancer in his book, The Power of When.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The podcast discusses how diversions and misdirections can be used to avoid addressing the core of the problem, for instance when someone wants you to leave them alone but instead you're being accused of meaningless technical things.
1:02:30 - 1:05:44 (03:14)
Summary
The podcast discusses how diversions and misdirections can be used to avoid addressing the core of the problem, for instance when someone wants you to leave them alone but instead you're being accused of meaningless technical things.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Researchers caution against oversimplifying science and scaring people with claims that poor sleep in middle age will result in Alzheimer's; such crystal ball prognostications are irresponsible.
1:05:44 - 1:11:13 (05:29)
Summary
Researchers caution against oversimplifying science and scaring people with claims that poor sleep in middle age will result in Alzheimer's; such crystal ball prognostications are irresponsible.
EpisodeThe "Sleep Loss Epidemic"
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker talks about taking a nap to avoid getting cancer or Alzheimer's, then mentions texting a picture of his small balls to Michael to show what will happen if they continue on this path.
1:11:13 - 1:11:53 (00:40)
Summary
The speaker talks about taking a nap to avoid getting cancer or Alzheimer's, then mentions texting a picture of his small balls to Michael to show what will happen if they continue on this path.