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The Matt Walker Podcast
The Matt Walker Podcast is all about sleep, the brain, and the body. Matt is a 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 who adores science and the communication of science to the public.
Episodes
109 episodes
#92 - The Healing Powers of Sleep
This week Matt explores dreams, questioning if their specific content matters beyond the normal benefits of REM sleep. This episode examines dreaming's significance for creativity, memory integration, and its role as emotional first aid....
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22:38
Ask Me Anything Part 15: Beauty Sleep, Naps, 3 AM Wake-Ups & Axl Rose with Dr. Eti Ben Simon
In their latest AMA episode, Matt and Eti address listener questions ranging from "beauty sleep" to 3 AM awakenings. They explore the scientific evidence supporting sleep's crucial role in skin health and perceived attractiveness, citing studie...
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1:09:31
#91 - Sleep, Ambien, Memory, and Alzheimer's
This week, Matt Walker dives into the world of the widely used sleeping pill, Ambien (Zolpidem). He explains how Ambien, a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, works by targeting the brain's GABA receptors, specifically the alpha-1 subunit,...
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38:45
The Evergreen Express - A Sleep Story Read by Matt Walker
Settle into the embrace of your bed, feeling its comforting presence beneath you. This connection anchors you to the present, quieting the mind's chatter and creating a foundation for restful sleep. Tired of untrustworthy protei...
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22:33
#90 - Sleep as Fuel for Athletes with Dr. Cheri Mah
Join Matt and renowned sleep scientist Dr. Cheri Mah today as they delve into the crucial connection between sleep and athletic performance. Dr. Mah's groundbreaking research at Stanford, including her famous basketball player sleep extensio...
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1:08:50
Ask Me Anything Part 14: Sleep, AI, Space, and Superpowers
In his latest "Ask Me Anything" episode, Matt is once again joined by Dr. Eti Ben Simon to respond to a variety of audience questions, beginning with the role of AI in sleep medicine. Together, they explore how AI is currently being used to imp...
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56:22
#89 - Does Catch-up Sleep Work?
Welcome back to a new episode of the Matt Walker Podcast, where we revisit the often-discussed topic of catch-up sleep. We delve into the complexities of weekend catch-up sleep, exploring a recent study of 91,000 participants that sugg...
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30:02
#88 - Sleep & Sleeping Pills with Dr. Ranji Varghese
Matt Walker welcomes Dr. Ranji Varghese to the podcast this week for an in-depth conversation about sleep and prescription sleeping pills. A psychiatrist specializing in sleep medicine, Dr. Varghese begins by discussing his entry into the fi...
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1:03:29
Beneath a Highland Moon - A Sleep Story Read by Matt Walker
Embark on a calming journey to the Scottish Highlands in tonight's sleep story. Join Matt as he guides you through a tranquil landscape of rolling hills, sparkling lochs, and fragrant valleys. Let the soothing sounds of nature and the peacef...
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22:35
#87 - Sleep, Trauma Memories, AI & Memory Hacks, with Dr. Charan Ranganath
Dr. Charan Ranganath returns to explore the complexities of human memory with Matt here today. Together, they delve into memory's architecture, examining how sleep, trauma, and AI impact its function. The discussion covers episodic and semantic...
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49:43
Ask Me Anything Part 13: Circadian Rhythms, Biphasic Sleep, Gut Health, and Animal Sleep Secrets
Matt and Eti’s latest AMA episode begins with an exploration of the fascinating relationship between circadian rhythms and medication effectiveness. Discover how this internal 24-hour clock influences drug absorption, distribution, metabolis...
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56:13
#86 - Sleeping Pills & Weight Loss
Join Matt today as he explores the fascinating intersection of sleep, metabolism, and weight management, delving into the science of dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs). This episode dissects a groundbreaking study on suvorexant (Belsomra)...
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24:33
Starlight Stroll - A Sleep Story Read by Matt Walker
Escape the everyday and drift off to dreamland with Matt’s guided sleep story. Together, we'll journey through tranquil landscapes, from moonlit valleys to sun-dappled forests, letting the soothing sounds and imagery lull you into a peaceful...
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23:50
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#85 - The Power and Limits of Memory with Dr. Charan Ranganath
Matt dives deep into the science of memory with renowned neuroscientist Dr. Charan Ranganath, author of Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold On to What Matters in today’s episode. Together, they explore th...
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51:54
Ask Me Anything Part 12 - Meds, Pets, Sleeping Naked, and So Much More with Dr. Eti Ben Simon
In Matt’s latest installment of his "Ask Me Anything" series, he once again joins forces with Dr. Eti Ben Simon to address a wide spectrum of listener questions. Beginning with a dive into the fascinating connections between sleep and medicatio...
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1:04:08
#84 - Sleep & Narcolepsy
Matt returns this week to unpack the complexities of narcolepsy, a neurological sleep disorder often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. He starts by defining narcolepsy, explaining its profound impact on brain and body functioning and its chron...
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43:38
#83 - Sleeping Separate vs. Your Relationship
Matt revisits the concept of "sleep divorce," or "sleep separation" in this latest episode, examining its effects on relationships and well-being. He cites studies showing that up to one in four couples in the U.S. and U.K. sleep in separate...
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38:37
Ask Me Anything Part 11 - Falling Asleep, Staying Asleep, and False Awakenings
Matt and Eti return today for another AMA session where they dive into even more fascinating and often quirky sleep questions that have been submitted by listeners. In this installment, our duo explores the evolutionary puzzle of why we slee...
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59:27
#82 - Sleep and ADHD with Dr. Jessica Lunsford-Avery
Matt Walker welcomes Dr. Jessica Lunsford-Avery, an Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University to the podcast today. Dr. Lunsford-Avery, a clinical psychologist, delves into the crucial link between sleep and m...
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1:14:02
#81 - Aging, Alzheimer’s, and Sleep with Dr. William Jagust
Dr. William “Bill” Jagust, renowned expert in brain science and Alzheimer’s research - and one of the reasons Matt chose to move to UC Berkeley - joins our host today for an in-depth discussion on aging, cognitive decline, and the critical r...
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1:18:42
Ask Me Anything Part 10 - Naps and Sleepwalking
In this latest AMA episode, Matt and Eti are back to tackle listener questions about naps and sleepwalking this time around. They begin by delving into the intricacies of power naps and their impact on brain function and sleep health, and go...
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47:34
#80 - Sleep Advice for Couples with Dr. Wendy Troxel
Dr. Wendy Troxel returns to the podcast today to discuss the significant impact of sleep on relationships and mental health with Matt. Offering actionable strategies for couples facing inevitable sleep disruptions, Dr. Troxel emphasizes the ...
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Episode 80
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51:05
#79 - Melatonin, Autism Spectrum Disorder, & Sleep
This week, Matt shines his spotlight on the intriguing topic of melatonin use for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While melatonin has been discussed in previous episodes in relation to sleep enhancement and antioxidan...
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Episode 79
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34:17
Ask Me Anything Part 9 - THC, Melatonin, and Defining ‘Enough Sleep'
In yet another informative and entertaining AMA episode, Matt and Doctor Eti Ben-Simon delve into the variety of sleep-related questions uppermost in listeners’ minds . Matt begins by explaining that THC, the main psychoactive component in c...
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1:10:18
