Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter

Chris Winter, MD
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No holds barred, unscripted discussion on a wide range of sleep topics - from sleep disorders to current research and controversies in the field. No topic is off limits! Dr. Chris Winter is a clinician, a board certified neurologist and double boarded sleep specialist with 30 years of clinical experience. He is the author of The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child, and is a popular consultant and speaker, working for many professional sports teams. He is well known for his unique perspective and ability to demystify sleep, all of which he brings to Sleep Unplugged. 

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    #198: The Loneliness Epidemic and Insomnia: Out by Myself

    Insomnia is often framed as a nighttime disorder—but what if, for many patients, it’s also a daytime problem of disconnection? As loneliness emerges as a major public health issue, a growing body of research suggests that social isolation and poor sleep may be deeply intertwined, each reinforcing the other in a self-sustaining cycle. Drawing on the work of Vivek Murthy and current sleep science, this episode explores how loneliness affects insomnia, how insomnia may worsen social disconnection, and what interventions actually help. In this episode we will: Review how loneliness and social isolation are defined and why they matter for long-term health  Explain the biological and psychological mechanisms linking loneliness to insomnia, including hyperarousal and rumination  Examine experimental and longitudinal research showing that poor sleep can increase next-day loneliness and social withdrawal  Distinguish between objective isolation, subjective loneliness, and relationship quality—and why that matters clinically  Discuss evidence-based interventions including CBT-I, behavioral activation, mindfulness, and structured social engagement  Offer a practical framework for identifying and treating insomnia when disconnection is part of the clinical pictureOriginal intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!

    39 min

  2. 30 MAR

    #197 - Top 10 Sleep Threat Power Rankings: The Challenges We're Facing

    This week marks the 10th month we have put out the Top 10 Sleep Threats Power Rankings, and this week, we have a special guest assessor, Vanderbilt Professor of Neurology and Sleep Medicine Dr. Beth Malow. In addition to promoting her new book Beyond the Politics of Contempt—Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times, Dr. Malow has graciously provided us her list. In this episode we will: Find out what Dr. Malow thinks are the top threats to your sleepFocus on how Dr. Malow looks at our divided political and stressful times as core drivers of sleep problemsLearn why Beth's list marks a different view of sleep problems than lists previouslyOriginal intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!

    31 min

  3. 23 MAR

    #196 - Red Light Therapy: All I See Is Red

    Red light therapy has moved well beyond the world of skincare and into something far more biologically intriguing. From mitochondrial function to retinal aging to chronic tendon pain, specific wavelengths of light, particularly in the 630 to 670 nm range, are being studied for their ability to influence how our cells produce energy, respond to stress, and recover from injury. While the science is promising, it is also uneven, with strong signals in some areas and much thinner evidence in others. In this episode we will: Review the fundamentals of photobiomodulation and how red light interacts with mitochondriaLearn about the differences between common wavelengths like 630 nm and 670 nm and why they matterExamine the strongest evidence for red light therapy in skin health and cosmetic applicationsExplore the emerging research on 670 nm light and retinal function, including effects on color contrast sensitivityBreak down the mixed clinical data on age-related macular degeneration and what multiwavelength trials are showingDiscover the preclinical evidence suggesting protection of retinal ganglion cells and neuroretinal tissueEvaluate the research behind red light therapy for musculoskeletal pain, including plantar fasciitis and tendinopathiesUnderstand the limitations of current studies, including dosing variability and small sample sizesIdentify where red light therapy may fit as an adjunct versus where it falls short as a primary treatmentOriginal intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!

    28 min

  4. 16 MAR

    #195 - Pillow Fight 2026: Lay It On The Line

    It's NCAA Selection Sunday, and that means the Pillow Fight is back. This year we've assembled 16 new pillows, each full of hope that they will be the last pillow standing and hoist the SideSleeperZ Cup. In this episode, we will: Explain the second annual Sleep Unplugged Pillow Fight tournamentTouch upon how important choosing the right pillow is for sleepBreakdown the scoring system (25% Committee, 25% my blinded experience, 25% Sleep Specialist input, 10% Crowd/Social Media (Instagram) following, 10% 'Induced Fit', and 5% Packaging and Extras).Introduce the 16 competitors: Authenticity50, Beckham Hotel, Bedgear, Brooklinen, Casaluna, Chamberlain Down, Coop, GeliSleep, Hästens, Hest, Lincove, Onyx, Pluto, Scrumptious, ViSpring, and YogasleepOriginal intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!

    35 min

  5. 9 MAR

    #194 - Nocturnal Headaches and Sleep: No More Pain While You Sleep

    Waking up with a headache can feel ominous. Is it stress? Sinus pressure? Something neurological? In this episode of Sleep Unplugged, we break down nocturnal headaches in a practical, clinically grounded way. In this episode we will: Review the most common causes of headaches that wake you from sleep, including migraine, cluster headache, hypnic headache, and sleep apneaLearn how nocturnal headaches differ in children versus adults and what red flags parents should watch forDetermine when imaging is necessary and when it is notExplore the connection between sleep stages, circadian rhythms, and specific headache syndromesFind out why untreated sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea are a frequently missed causeDiscuss practical treatment strategies and prevention tips you can start using right awayOriginal intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!

    38 min

  6. 2 MAR

    #193 - Insomnia and Success: Gonna Hit The Big Time

    Success looks good in the daylight, but at night, it often looks very different. In this episode we explore why insomnia is so common in driven, high-achieving, Type-A personalities. Is it stress? Hyperarousal? The Zeigarnik effect? We unpack the science, the psychology, and the cultural narrative that may be quietly rewarding sleeplessness. In this episode, we will: Discover what the research says about achievement orientation, perfectionism, and insomniaOutlinehyperarousal model of insomnia and why high performers may struggle to “turn it off”Introduce the Zeigarnik effect and how unfinished goals hijack the sleeping brainLearn why our culture romanticizes sleepless productivity and how that reinforces the problemContrast the difference between short sleepers, workaholism, and true chronic insomniaThink about practical strategies for high achievers to protect sleep without sacrificing ambitionOriginal intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!

    40 min

  7. 23 FEB

    #192 - Top 10 Sleep Threat Power Rankings: Can I Go To Bed & Sleep Tonight?

    This week marks the 10th month we have put out the Top 10 Sleep Threats Power Rankings, and this week, we have a special guest assessor, Dr. Margaret Park. In this episode we will: Find out what Dr. Park thinks are the top threats to your sleepFocus on how Dr. Park looks at practical patient and system failuresLearn why Margaret's list marks a different view of sleep problems than lists before Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!

    42 min

  8. 16 FEB

    #191 - Creatine and Sleep: When You Sleep, Your Muscles Would Bulge

    Creatine has been a staple in the gym bag for decades. But is it just for bodybuilders chasing one more rep, or does it have something to say about sleep, brain energy, and resilience in a sleep deprived world? In this episode we will: Break down what creatine actually is and how it works at the cellular level as a rapid energy buffer for muscle and brainExplore why athletes swear by it, what the data really shows about strength and performanceLearn why creatine monohydrate remains the gold standard despite the marketing of newer formsReview data about brain energy, sleep pressure, and whether creatine helps when the system is under stressTackle broader health claims of mood/depression, aging, cognition, and the often misunderstood relationship between creatine and kidney functionTouch upon creatine and hair lossReview best creatine practices and warnings about its use Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!

    36 min
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About

No holds barred, unscripted discussion on a wide range of sleep topics - from sleep disorders to current research and controversies in the field. No topic is off limits! Dr. Chris Winter is a clinician, a board certified neurologist and double boarded sleep specialist with 30 years of clinical experience. He is the author of The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child, and is a popular consultant and speaker, working for many professional sports teams. He is well known for his unique perspective and ability to demystify sleep, all of which he brings to Sleep Unplugged. 

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