Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter

Apr 21 2024 59

Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter Podcast artwork

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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#96 - Narcolepsy Stories: My Patience Has Reached Its End

Apr 21 2024 38 mins

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 o

#95 - Sleep and Breath: Every Breath You Take

Apr 15 2024 38 mins

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

#94 - Grounding and Sleep: I Felt The Earth Beneath My Feet

Apr 07 2024 35 mins

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

#93 - 10 Strange Insomnia Treatments: Rock Yourself to Sleep

Mar 31 2024 35 mins

There are no shortage of insomnia treatments and we have covered many on this podcast. In honor of April Fool's Day, we spotlight 10 unusual treatments and continue our yearly tradition of sharing the funniest listener comments about the show. In this episode we will:Discuss biofeedback as a potential insomnia therapyEvaluate the act of rocking or vibration as a sleep-inducing

#92 - Sleep and Nicotine: I’d Have Another Cigarette But I Can’t ‘Sleep’

Mar 24 2024 29 mins

When it comes to substances affecting sleep negatively, it seems alcohol and caffeine hog all of the spotlight. But what about nicotine? While the number of younger individuals who smoke is declining, the advent of vaping and oral nicotine pouches is rising, and the effects on the sleep of the users is not positive. In this episode we will:Examine the effects of nicotine on sleepLo

#91 - Drowsy Driving: Asleep at the Wheel

Mar 17 2024 39 mins

In a 2017 study, approximately one-third of the respondents reported having fallen asleep driving within the last month. Sleepy driving is a massive public health problem leading to thousands of preventable accidents, deaths, and injuries every year. In this episode we will:Define drowsy drivingOutline the scope of this public health problemEvaluate the causes of drowsy drivingLook

#90 - Sleep and Hospitality: Gotta Hurry On Back To My Hotel Room

Mar 10 2024 35 mins

One of the most interesting trends in sleep is the growing number of hotels and hospitality centers that are embracing sleep as a primary focus for their patrons. Equinox Hotel in New York City has fully embraced the topic in almost everything they offer their guests from spa experiences to a room that goes "Dark, Quiet, and Cool" with the touch of a button. In this episo

#89 - Circadiansomnia: I Was Up Before The Dawn

Mar 03 2024 38 mins

Over the last two years, we have covered several circadian rhythm disorders...jet lag disorder and shift work disorder as well as covering the general concept of a circadian rhythm. For some individuals, they have an intrinsic desynchrony with the times they are expected to be awake. In this episode we will:Review the role of the circadian rhythm in sleepTouch upon previously cover

#88 - Weighted Blankets: Pushing Down On Me, Pressing Down On You

Feb 25 2024 34 mins

Weighted blankets have soared in popularity over the past decade and they often promise better sleep. What exactly dose the evidence say and for what practical purposes can these products be useful? In this episode, we will:Review the nervous system pathways for perceiving touch and pressureDescribe how pressure has a calming effect on the body via parasympathetic system activation

#87 - Sleep Masks: I'll Wear a Mask for You

Feb 18 2024 26 mins

A simple piece of cloth over the eyes can have a powerful effect of the quality on an individual's sleep. The evolution of the sleep mask has been profound and the available literature of their effectiveness, particularly in the hospital setting has be extensively studied. In this episode we will:Outline the effects of sleep masks on sleepReview the large body of evidence supp