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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
101 episodes
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
#78 - Sleep & Relationships with Dr. Wendy Troxel
The Science of Shared Sleep: Dr. Wendy Troxel on Bedtime and RelationshipsThis week, Matt is joined by Dr. Wendy Troxel the celebrated sleep and behavioral scientist whose book, Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Gui...
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Episode 78
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1:14:22
Ask Me Anything Part 8 - Lucid Dreaming & Sleep Hygenie
Matt and Dr. Eti Ben Simon are back today to answer more of your excellent questions with their latest AMA installment - #8!They begin by delving into the intriguing world of lucid dreaming, explaining how it enables dreamers t...
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45:26
#77 - Sleep & CBD
Matt continues his series on the impact of cannabis, THC, and CBD upon sleep this week with an examination into the intricacies of cannabidiol (CBD), which, unlike its psychoactive counterpart THC, does not induce a high but is recognized fo...
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Episode 77
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1:01:56
#76 - Precognitive Dreaming
In this week’s intriguing episode, Matt delves into the topic of precognitive dreams, exploring the idea that some people can predict future events through their dreams. He explains that while this concept might seem appealing, it is actuall...
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Episode 76
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26:22
AMA Part 7 - Deep Sleep, Alcohol & Anxiety
In this 7th installment of their AMA series, Matt Walker and Dr. Eti Ben Simon dive into strategies for improving deep non-REM sleep. They highlight the benefits of vigorous exercise, citing a study by Kaspar Vogt that shows how exercise enh...
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Episode 7
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1:05:37
#75 - The Business of Sleep With Dr. Chris Barnes
Dr. Chris Barnes, renowned Michael G. Foster Endowed Professor of Management at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington, returns to the podcast today to continue his discussion with Matt regarding sleep's impact on business p...
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Episode 75
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1:05:05
# 74 - Sleep & THC
Matt continues his exploration into the intricate link between cannabis and sleep, focusing on THC in this second installment, beginning with a reminder to listeners of the historical insights from doctors like O'Shaughnessy and Clendinning ...
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Episode 74
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44:45
Ask Me Anything Part 6 - Lunar Cycles & Weighted Blankets
Matt and Eti team up again today for another entertaining and informative AMA episode. This time around, they dive into the intriguing world of lunar cycles and their potential influence on sleep patterns and dreams. From ancient beliefs to mod...
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50:08
#73 - Sleep & Work with Dr. Chris Barnes
Dr. Chris Barnes from the University of Washington's Foster School of Business joins Matt to discuss the often overlooked importance of sleep in boosting workplace productivity and ethical decision-making. Together, they delve into how sleep...
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Episode 73
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1:23:20
