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
90 episodes since 2021
#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...
September 09, 2024
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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...
September 02, 2024
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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 ...
August 26, 2024
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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...
August 12, 2024
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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...
August 05, 2024
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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...
July 29, 2024
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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...
July 15, 2024
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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...
July 01, 2024
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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...
June 18, 2024
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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...
June 10, 2024
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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...
June 03, 2024
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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 ...
May 20, 2024
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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...
May 13, 2024
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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...
May 06, 2024
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Episode 73
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1:23:20
# 72 - Sleep & Cannabis
Matt introduces his series examining the complex relationship between sleep and cannabis, exploring both the historical context and contemporary scientific perspectives. The narrative begins with Dr. W.B. O'Shaughnessy's canine experiments i...
April 22, 2024
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Episode 72
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38:34
#71 - Acting Out Dreams - REM disorder
This week, Matt dives deep into the complexities of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), a condition where individuals physically act out their dreams due to the absence of normal muscle paralysis during REM sleep. He meticulously breaks down the...
April 08, 2024
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Episode 71
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42:41
Ask Me Anything Part 5 - Pregnancy & Rheum
Eti is back for another AMA episode with Matt to answer questions that have been submitted over the last little while. Today’s installment dives into a number of topics including the intricate relationship between sleep and pregnancy, explor...
April 01, 2024
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Episode 0
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1:00:06
#70 - Sleep & Screens with Dr. Michael Gradisar
In today's podcast episode, Matt welcomes back Dr. Michael Gradisar to delve into the evolving understanding of screens and sleep. Initially holding the belief in the detrimental effect of screen light on sleep, Matt finds this notion challenge...
March 25, 2024
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Episode 70
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1:08:03
#69 - Sleep & Menopause
Matt explores menopause and sleep disturbances today, noting the impact of hormonal changes, including a drop in estrogen and progesterone, and the role of hot flashes in disturbed sleep. He enumerates different types of sleep impairments relat...
March 11, 2024
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Episode 69
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23:25
Ask Me Anything Part 4 - Our Sleep Habits Explored
It’s another AMA episode and Dr. Eti Ben Simon returns to not only share some of her own sleep routines, but also to help listeners gain a rare insight into Matt's personal sleep habits as they respond to a listener’s query. Renowned for not...
March 04, 2024
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Episode 0
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35:19
#68 - Sleep & Light With Dr. Michael Gradisar
Matt Walker welcomes his dear friend, the epic sleep researcher and clinician, Dr. Michael Gradisar, to the podcast to join him in exploring the profound influence of light on sleep quality. Dr. Gradisar's groundbreaking research and clinica...
February 26, 2024
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Episode 68
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44:21
#67 - Sleep to Lose Weight
This week, Matt explores the intricate connection between sleep and weight, shedding light on the alarming reality of how inadequate sleep contributes to weight gain. He emphasizes the staggering correlation between the rise in obesity rates an...
February 12, 2024
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Episode 67
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25:10
Ask Me Anything Part 3 - Alzheimer's, Shift Work, Sleep Optimization
Dr. Eti Ben Simone is back with Matt Walker to delve into a range of intriguing topics surrounding sleep, circadian rhythms, and the impact of shift work on our health, all within the engaging context of today’s installment of their increasi...
February 05, 2024
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1:07:01
#66 - Exploding Head Syndrome
Matt’s back this week to delve into the intriguing phenomenon known as Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS). A genuine and significant sleep disorder, EHS is part of the broader category of parasomnias, which includes various sleep-related disorder...
January 29, 2024
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Episode 66
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24:10
#65 - Sleep & Athletes with Dr. Michael Grandner pt.2
In this second installment of their fascinating conversation together, Matt Walker and Michael Grandner continue their discussion regarding the crucial role of sleep in the lives of athletes. Together they delve into the unique challenges athle...
January 15, 2024
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Episode 65
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40:07