The Matt Walker Podcast

The Matt Walker Podcast The Matt Walker Podcast is all about sleep, the brain, and the body. Matt is Professor of Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley.

He is the author of the book, Why We Sleep and has given a few TED talks. Matt is...an awkward British nerd.

10/16/2025

Want to improve your REM sleep? Control light and temperature, avoid alcohol and THC, and sleep in a little later. Even 15-20 extra minutes can significantly increase REM sleep. Have you tried any of these tips?

10/03/2025

Research suggests catching up on sleep during the weekend may decrease the risk of heart disease by 20% for those short on sleep during the week. Sleep helps repair blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, and inflammation. Good news for heart health, but other systems may not recover.

09/29/2025

The surge in testosterone replacement therapy prescriptions has a hidden impact: sleep disruption. Artificially elevated levels can decrease sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and the quality of deep sleep. High testosterone increases fight or flight, impacting rest. Have you experienced sleep changes?

09/27/2025

DORAs drugs work differently than other sleep aids. They dial down the volume on wakefulness, allowing for more naturalistic sleep. New research suggests these medications may also help cleanse the brain of proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease, leading to improved physiological function. Have you heard about these?

09/18/2025

Why do we dream? w/ Shutting off noradrenaline during sleep may provide a "safe neurochemical environment" for processing traumatic memories. A blood pressure drug's unexpected effect offered surprising proof.

09/16/2025

Caffeine causes grey matter deterioration and blocks the brain's ability to recover from sleep deprivation. Be thoughtful about caffeine use when sleep-deprived! Tag someone who needs to see this!

09/10/2025

A new study tracked cannabis use and its effects on sleep and anxiety. Initial results showed a significant improvement in sleep quality and reduced anxiety. However, over 18 months, those benefits diminished as participants increased their dosage. Is there a future for cannabis-based sleep aids? https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000390

08/29/2025

Can grounding mats *really* boost your sleep and cut inflammation? Consider the science before you buy in. Sometimes, sticking to the basics – like a cool, dark bedroom and a consistent sleep schedule – makes all the difference.

08/23/2025

Waking up at 3 AM? It's a thing. Melatonin dips, cortisol spikes, and even tiny triggers can jolt someone awake. Solutions? Ditch the substances, try box breathing, sleep restriction, or chat with a doctor about low-dose options to help quiet the mind.

08/23/2025

Do cats have a secret to sleeping safely? A new study looked at 408 videos and found that most cats favor their left side when napping. Turns out, this position might help them detect danger faster! "Evolution seems to have wired them."

08/20/2025

In the 70s, researchers thought they found a 'sleep molecule' that boosted deep sleep. But the deeper they dug, the more elusive it became. Was it excitement blinding the science? Maybe sleep is too complex for one simple fix.

08/17/2025

In the '70s, a molecule promised instant, deep sleep. But as quickly as it emerged, red flags appeared: Where did it come from? Did it even exist? Dive into the mystery of the "delta sleep-inducing peptide" — and its unbelievable human trials. What do you think?

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