Send us Fan Mail S6 E151 - Online Romance Scams, AI & Sleep: Why Betrayal Keeps You Awake Can an online romance scam affect more than your finances? After trust is broken, shame, replaying conversations, and “how did I miss this?” thoughts can follow you straight into bed. In this episode of Sleep Takeout, sleep psychologist Dr. Daniel Baughn and sleep medicine physician Dr. Michelle Zetoony discuss AI-enabled romance scams, love bombing, fake identities, warning signs, and why betrayal can fuel insomnia and nighttime rumination. They also explore why loneliness can increase vulnerability and how real-world connection can help rebuild safety. 🌙 If betrayal, anxiety, or overthinking is keeping you awake, schedule a complimentary phone call with Dr. Daniel Baughn: https://www.danielbaughn.com/schedule-call IN THIS EPISODE: 🎙️ 150+ episodes of Sleep Takeout Dan and Michelle reflect on the show’s evolution, YouTube, and the community growing around Sleep Takeout. ⚕️ Why individualized healthcare matters Online health information can improve access, but medication, sleep, and mental health decisions still need personal clinical context. 💔 How romance scams build trust Attention, compliments, love bombing, texting, stolen photos, and long-distance stories can create a powerful sense of connection. 🤖 AI makes deception harder to spot Voice, video, images, and messages can now be manipulated, making an online identity feel more convincing than it really is. 🚩 Romance scam warning signs Repeated reasons someone cannot meet or communicate normally—especially alongside urgency, money requests, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or elaborate stories—deserve caution. 😴 Why betrayal can disrupt sleep After discovering a scam, people may replay events, question their judgment, feel shame, or wake at night thinking about what happened. 🤝 Rebuilding safety and connection Dan and Michelle emphasize trusted relationships, therapy when needed, and real-world interaction rather than processing the experience alone. ✨ Want another way to slow down, breathe, and reconnect? Join Dr. Michelle Zetoony’s Book and Breath class: https://www.sleeptakeout.com THE BIG TAKEAWAY: Our need for connection is human—but it can be exploited. If an online relationship feels intensely intimate while remaining difficult to verify in real life, slow down, ask questions, and involve people you trust. You can watch the National Geographic Special "Super Scam Me_" here: https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-3bf2735c-0983-47ea-b927-3ac38c2bf7ef 👇 What warning sign do you think people most often overlook in an online relationship? Tell us in the comments. CHAPTERS 00:00 Celebrating 150+ Episodes 02:42 Medical Disclaimer & Individualized Care 03:52 Online Health Advice & GLP-1s 07:23 Health Claims and Misinformation 08:27 When Online Connection Becomes a Scam 09:19 AI, Fake Identities & Romance Scams 13:09 Love Bombing & Warning Signs 14:30 Betrayal, Shame & Sleepless Nights 16:12 Why Real-World Connection Matters 17:12 Making Friends & Building Community 18:13 Progress Over Perfection 19:01 What’s Coming Next ✨ Real rest isn’t just about falling asleep—it’s about feeling at ease again. I’m Dr. Daniel Baughn, sleep psychologist and co-host of Sleep Takeout. I help professionals and high-achievers who seem to have everything together during the day but can’t quite turn off their minds at night. Sometimes, a simple conversation can be the start of real change. 🌙 CONNECT WITH US Work with Dr. Daniel Baughn: https://www.danielbaughn.com/schedule-call Connect with Dr. Michelle Zetoony: https://www.dosleep.com Join Michelle’s Book and Breath class: https://www.sleeptakeout.com Podcast Hub: https://www.sleeptakeout.com 🛒 Workbook + Bluetooth Headband: https://www.sleeptakeout.com/store Questions or topic ideas? ask@sleeptakeout.com A NOTE ON YOUR CARE & MEDICAL DISCLAIMER Sleep Takeout content—including our website, podcast, videos, discussions, guest insights, and linked resources—is for educational, informational, and general wellness purposes only. Not Individualized Advice: Nothing here replaces professional medical, psychiatric, or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No Provider-Patient Relationship: Watching, listening, subscribing, commenting, emailing, or interacting with our content does not create a doctor-patient, therapist-client, or other healthcare provider-patient relationship. Work With Your Personal Provider: Seek guidance from your physician, licensed mental health professional, or other qualified healthcare provider about medical or psychological concerns. Never disregard professional advice or delay care because of our content. In an Emergency: Call 911, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. and Canada), or contact your nearest emergency room. #RomanceScams #SleepHealth #BetterSleep Theme music "Happy Days by FSM Team" courtesy of https://www.free-stock-music.com Support the show Become a Sleep Takeout+ Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1692604/support Watch on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@sleeptakeout www.danielbaughn.com www.dosleep.com sleeptakeout@gmail.com