Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are everywhere—from our phones to our Wi-Fi to the wiring in our homes. But do they actually disrupt sleep… or is this another modern sleep villain that gets more attention than it deserves? In this episode of Sleep Unplugged, we will: Define what EMF actually is (ELF vs RF, and why “non-ionizing” matters) Learn what research says—and doesn’t say—about EMF and the brai...

This week on the Sleep Unplugged podcast, we are looking at sleep resolutions made for the new year and why they often fail. In this episode, we present six insomnia resolutions that don’t ask you to “try harder” — because insomnia isn’t a motivation problem, a discipline problem, or a character flaw. In this episode we will: Reframe why New Year’s sleep resolutions fail Think about insomnia as a...

Once again we come to the end of another year and our 4th Annual Sleep Unplugged "Sleepy" Awards are upon us again. Join me in honoring the best and brightest in sleep in this podcast episode: The 2025 Sleepy Award winners are: Social Media Warrior                    Dr. Christopher J Allen (@sleepdrchris)       Sleep Outsider Award                  The Nap Ministry/Tricia Hershey (@then...

This week marks the 8th month we have put out the Top 10 Sleep Threats Power Rankings, and this week, we have a special guest assessor, Dr. Roxanne Prichard. In this episode we will: Find out what Roxanne thinks are the top threats to your sleep Focus on wealth inequality Learn why Dr. Prichard's list does not contradict our previous lists, but may very well explain them. Produced by: Maeve W...

Ever wondered what really happens during a sleep study — and why we still rely on them more than 50 years after their invention? Take a behind-the-scenes look at the overnight sleep study, from its surprisingly quirky origins to its modern-day role in diagnosing sleep apnea, narcolepsy, parasomnias, and more. In this episode we will: Learn how the polysomnogram was born — and why it became the gol...

You probably saw the headlines out of California as they sent a jolt through the sleep world as well as social media: Do common sleep medications increase your risk of dementia?  In this episode we will: Review what the UCSF study actually found — and what the headlines got wrong Determine which medications are most often implicated (benzodiazepines vs Z-drugs vs trazodone) Take a deep dive into t...

This week marks the 7th month we have put out the Top 10 Sleep Threats Power Rankings, but it's the first time we have devoted an entire episode to the list. This week, we have a special guest assessor, Dr. Jade Wu. In this episode we will: Find out what Jade thinks are the top threats to your sleep Focus on mental health as a sleep detractor Learn more about the concept of FOMO or "fear...

Fear not, the Sleep Unplugged podcast is once again here to solve your holiday shopping dilemmas with some of my favorite sleep product companies. In this episode, we will explore a host of sleep-themed gift ideas and product recommendations. In this episode, we will feature the following products: SideSleeperZ slip-proof sleep mask Authenticity50 bedding Bee Ulmo honey BlueAir air purification sy...

The orexin receptor agonists are coming. After years of managing narcolepsy with stimulants, sodium oxybate, and wake-promoting agents, we soon will have medications that target the root cause of the disorder: the loss of orexin signaling. These new drugs—developed by Takeda, Alkermes, and Centessa—aren’t just incremental improvements. They represent a genuine shift in how we understand and treat...

At the root of many sleep disorders of sleep fragmentation. It's a big part of sleep medicine that many people don't know much about. In this episode we will: Define sleep fragmentation Contrast the differences between  arousals from sleep and awakenings from sleep Understand why sleep fragmentation goes unnoticed by providers and patients alike List some common causes of sleep fragmenta...

The media can be a fantastic source of information about insomnia, or it can be a lens that distorts and confuses the issue. In this episode we will: Contrast to contemporary insomnia articles from popular media Understand the difference between causation and relationships Learn how the use to percentages can distort the scale of an effect Read how media frequently confuses "sleep deprivation...

For the first time in my career, two team for who I work will meet for the championship, this time it's the Los Angeles Dodgers (my 10th year with the club) and the Toronto Blue Jays (my 3rd year with the club). In this episode we will: Discuss my work in MLB Talk about how these two teams came to sleep medicine as a performance tool Learn how anybody or any organization could benefit from sl...

We talk endlessly about caffeine, alcohol, and sleep—but what about plain old water? In this episode, we will: Dive deep into the fascinating relationship between hydration and sleep quality Explore how dehydration disrupts sleep architecture—raising heart rate, cortisol, and even airway resistance Learn how hydration supports thermoregulation, helps maintain slow-wave sleep, and prevents the dry-...

Whether you’re skiing in Aspen, hiking Kilimanjaro, or just wondering why sleep feels so strange in the mountains, altitude messes with your rest in fascinating ways. In this episode we will: Explore the biology of what’s really happening in the brain and body when oxygen thins out Find out why your sleep becomes fragmented and restless, and what recent research reveals about the role of hypoxia,...

We’ve all heard the sleep hygiene advice: turn off your screens, keep your room cool, avoid caffeine after lunch. While we can agree that these practices set the stage for better sleep, does engaging in them actually help those with sleep problems?  In this episode we will: Examine the intended role of sleep hygiene Look at what research tell us in terms of using sleep hygiene as a tool for insomn...

Few parenting debates stir more passion than how to help a baby sleep. In this episode, we will: Explore the science and controversy behind “cry it out,” Ferber/check-and-console, and gentler alternatives Review what research says about sleep outcomes, stress, and attachment Think about this concept in relationship to varyting sleep needs Unpack the safety concerns around bed-sharing and why guida...

When it comes to sleep, sometimes silence is golden—and sometimes it needs a little help. In this episode, we’ll explore the world of earplugs and earbuds designed to quiet the night and protect your rest, because sometimes the best way to protect your dreams is to put a little something in your ear. In this episode we will: Determine why reducing noise can make such a difference for falling aslee...

We’ve all seen it—or maybe we’ve been told we do it: twitching, jerking, or kicking in the night. But when does this common sleep quirk cross the line into a diagnosable condition? In this episode, we will: Define Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and explain how it differs from simple nighttime movements Explore its surprising prevalence in both adults and children—and its strong ties to Res...

Did you know… Only 57% of Americans now say science has a mostly positive effect on society—down 16 points since before COVID? And yet, 83% of people still trust their doctor more than anyone else when it comes to vaccine advice? We’ve all lived through it—the pandemic reshaped our health, our trust, and our divisions, and those dividisions have been on full display recently as hearings have highl...

When it comes to insomnia, many people begin their journey staring at the clock after yet another middle-of-the-night bathroom trip and wondering: is it my bladder or my sleep that’s broken? In this episode, we will: Define what nocturia is—and what counts as normal versus abnormal Explore why most people wake up first and then feel the urge to urinate Reveal how nocturia can be a surprising red f...

We’ve all been there—different bed, strange noises, mystery thermostat settings—and suddenly your “dream” vacation or business trip comes with a side of sleeplessness. But hotel sleep doesn’t have to be a gamble. In this episode, we will: Explore why the “first night effect” sabotages rest in unfamiliar places Share 10 science-backed strategies to optimize any hotel room for sleep Learn how to man...

Headaches don’t punch the clock at bedtime — in fact, for many, night is when they strike hardest. In this episode, we’ll: Explore how disrupted sleep can trigger and intensify migraines, cluster headaches, hypnic headaches, and chronic daily headache Examine the role of sleep apnea in “morning headaches” and how CPAP therapy can make them disappear Review the latest research linking insomnia trea...

At every medical appointment, certain rituals unfold: height, weight, blood pressure, and—almost reflexively—temperature. But in asymptomatic patients, how often does that temperature reading actually matter? In this episode, we will: Examine the origins of routine temperature checks and their current clinical value Explore data showing how infrequently temperature readings in well visits lead to...

We all think we know what insomnia is: trouble sleeping, tossing and turning, maybe staring at the ceiling until sunrise. But does the public really have a clear picture of insomnia and does that impact the massive health impact it has? In this episode, we will: Explain how insomnia is not a single problem but a progressive condition, starting with a few rough nights and, in some, developing into...

In our modern world of blue light and burnout, it’s easy to forget that sleep has always been shaped by the forces of its time. In this episode, we travel back to the Gilded Age—a period of dazzling progress, deep inequality, and curious beliefs about sleep. In thenis episode, we will: Explore how medical professionals in the late 19th century understood sleep—and misunderstood insomnia Learn what...