Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter Chris Winter

In episode 62, we began to look at the role sleep plays in memory. In episode 65, we looked at the condition REM behavior disorder and how this neurodegenerative condition is often associated with telling sleep disorders. We continue both of these dialogues in this episode. In this episode we will:
Look at research linking sleep disorders and inadequate sleep to dementiaSingle out Lewy body dementia as a particular concern when sleep is chronically disruptedDetermine how much sleep seems to be optimal when it comes to dementia preventionExamine other sleep-adjacent factors (exercise, sedentary habits) that tend to predict dementiaDiscuss theories as to why sleep and dementia are linkedUncover the vague nature and lack of evidence supporting how we manage the sleep of dementia patientsShow the lack of evidence supporting bright light therapy in managing sleep issues in dementia patientsList some best practices when it comes to helping patients with dementia sleep betterProduced by: Maeve Winter

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Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

One of the aspects of insomnia that can be both a perpetuating factor and and target for treatment is exploring dysfunctional beliefs. In this episode we will:
Explore different types of insomnia beliefsUnderstand how these beliefs impact insomnia therapyLook at the relationship between dysfunctional sleep beliefs and depression and alcohol abuseExamine sleep beliefs in the general public as well as younger/university populationsDetermine ways in which these beliefs can be targeted in insomnia therapyProduced by: Maeve Winter

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Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

Dreams happen, and unfortunately, sometimes those dreams are nightmares. For most, these terrifying nights are few and far between. For a small few, nightmares become a frequent and unwanted nighttime norm. In this episode we will:
Revisit parasomnias, in this case nightmare disorder, and determine what defines itDifferentiate this disorder from night terror/sleep terror disorderExplore the epidemiology of the problemList its underlying causesReview the medications often used to treat the problemDiscuss other treatment options often employed in the disorderProduced by: Maeve Winter

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Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

Narcolepsy is a misunderstood medical disorder and as such, it generates some fascinating stories and anecdotes when you treat narcolepsy. In this episode we will:
Discuss the difficulties narcolepsy patients go through just refilling their medicationsDissect the idea of narcolepsy patients and abuse of their drugsEvaluate the enthusiasm the medical community has for the treatment of narcolepsyConsider some of the less obvious obstacles narcolepsy patients faceUnderstand the difficulties with the depictions created of narcolepsy patientsProduced by: Maeve Winter

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Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

The health benefits of yoga are widely espoused, but for many, the belief is that the benefits are derived mainly from the physical nature of the poses or asanas. The breathing exercises and techniques (pranayama) are often ignored. In this episode, we will:

-Explore the sleep-specific benefits of breathwork to not only bring oxygen to the brain, but to also influence the energy of the body (referred to as prana or chi).
-Review the various stages of breathing and why many individuals practice an incomplete/inefficient form of breathing
-Practice a three-part deep breathing diaphragmatic breathing technique called Deerga Sawasam ("Three-part breath")
-Link these breathing techniques to the engagement of the parasympathetic nervous system, instrumental in reducing anxiety and relaxing into sleep
-List various research studies looking at the positive effects of pranayama in terms of lowering anxiety/stress and improving sleep
-Add this to our sleep toolbox as an accessible method for calming our minds and preparing for restful sleep

Written by: Maeve Winter
Produced by: Maeve Winter

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Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

Though widely regarded as pseudoscience for many years, there has been a recent resurgence in the practice of earthing/grounding. This practice aims to dissipate excess electrical charge and reestablish electrical homeostasis. While the act of grounding is common practice in high voltage appliances, is it really necessary of beneficial in the human body when currents are miniscule in comparison. In this episode, we will:
Explain the concept of grounding in modern electrical wiringDiscuss the electrical nature of the human bodyReview studies claiming physiological changes in grounded individuals such as increased ferritin and lower blood glucose levelsEvaluate studies showing grounding effects on blood pressureUse stress as a sleep surrogate and review available literature of the effects of grounding on stress in both animal and human modelsSwitch to pain as a potential sleep disruptor and discuss the studies showing reduced pain and faster recover via groundingTouch on the large limitations of this small body of research and the ways in which bias and poor study construction can influence resultsDispel concerns about the "dangers" of groundingProduced by: Maeve Winter

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Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!