Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter

We’ve talked extensively about sleep and its science, but what happens when sleep becomes the story itself—on screen? Television has portrayed sleep, sleeplessness, and dreaming across decades of iconic storytelling. In this episode we will: Highlight classic TV episodes where sleep or sleep disorders play a central role Examine how sleep is portrayed in multiple genres Review how accurately sleep...

We’ve explored sleep apnea in depth on the podcast—its causes, its severity, and the many ways it’s treated. But what happens when the sleepiness lingers, even after treatment? In this episode, we will: Define sleep apnea, what it is—and what it isn’t Learn how excessive daytime sleepiness is defined, both on its own and in the context of sleep apnea Review the most common and effective treatments...

The Atlantic recently published a feature article entitled "Why Americans Can't Sleep." The article was written by Jennifer Senior, and fantastically accomplished writer (2022 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing, the 2022 National Magazine Award for Feature Writing, and the 2024 National Magazine Award for Columns & Essays) and details not only her own personal struggles with ins...

Bruxism or teeth grinding is a remarkably common occurrence and often happens during our nightly sleep period, disrupting sleep quality and continuity. In this episode we will: Define bruxism Explore the epidemiology of the condition Look at some of the causes of teeth grinding Touch upon proposed mechanisms of bruxism Review recent bruxism research List common treatments for the condition Produce...

Weight loss drugs are everywhere and recently Zepbound (tirzepitide) made big news when it became the first FDA-approved sleep apnea therapy for mild to moderate sleep apnea. In this episode, we will: Introduce and explain weight loss medications Review the studies that convinced the FDA to approve Zepbound for sleep apnea Provide an overview on this class of weight loss medications Evaluate the r...

You are looking live at the Seattle Conference Center where sleep researchers from around the world are converging to carry around tote bags and share the latest and greatest sleep research. I was there and saw it all. In this episode we will: Discuss AI and its emerging role in sleep research Learn why napping continues to show positives in attention and performance Continue the focus on chrononu...

So far on the podcast we had talked about sleep apnea as well as the treatments CPAP and surgery. On this episode of the podcast, we discuss another popular treatment option: oral appliances. In this episode we will: Review the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea Outline the mechanism via which oral appliance work List the pros and cons of oral appliance for surgery Discuss how the oral app...

One of the biggest obstacles in insomnia treatment is the perceived threat of physical harm related to the sleep difficulty. It's a major cog in the insomnia-fear-arousal cycle. In this episode we will: Utilize two case studies to illustrate the disruption that fear of harm causes with insomnia recovery  Discuss insomnia is a disorder of distress, not danger Talk about the lack of any evidenc...

When we did the snooze button episode of the podcast, it all started with a declaration that the snooze button was the worst thing for sleep. While it's fairly clear the snooze button is not, what is? In this episode, we list the top 10 worst things for sleep. In this episode we will: List what I believe the top ten worst things for sleep are Provide a nugget of research to back it up This wi...

Sweating at night is a common complaint in the sleep clinic. While night sweats are often thought of as being the exclusive domain of post-menopausal women, their causes can be surprisingly varied. In this episode we will: Review the epidemiology of night sweats List the cause both benign and more concerning Discuss how night sweats specifically impact sleep quality and architecture Review interve...

When it comes to symptoms that cause us to seek medical help, there are few that top pain. Pain occupies a unique space within the world of sleep, in particular back, neck, and shoulder pain. In this episode we will: Provide an overview of sleep-related pain Explore the relationship between sleep disturbances and pain Learn how sleep disturbances can be a strong predictor of the development of pai...

Over the last several years, adult 'bedtime stories' have become a ubiquitous internet method used by many to help themselves fall asleep at night. In this episode we will: Define bedtime stories Explore what makes them useful for some as a bedtime ritual for sleep Discuss the role these techniques play in insomnia Dissect the ways in which these stores could actually work against someon...

There is nothing more pleasing to the soul than wandering into a space that makes you feel protected, present, and at peace. Many elements involved in the creation of a comfortable bedroom sanctuary have been covered on the podcast. Now, we work to synthesize them all into your Zen den masterpiece. In this episode we will: Think about how room color choices affect relaxation and sleep Design the l...

As the owner of a private medical practice, I know how difficult it is for the solo provider/small group to keep the doors open and deliver quality care, especially if the providers participate with insurance carriers. This fact not only affects providers, but as we will explore in the episode, it can often directly impact they options for care a patient receives. In this episode we will: Understa...

We have talked extensively about Type 1 and Type 2 narcolepsy on the podcast, but what about its mysterious cousin idiopathic hypersomnia (IH)? What is IH and why is it so hard to diagnose? What is its relationship with narcolepsy, and how do we treat it? In this episode we will: Define idiopathic hypersomnia Look at its incidence rate next to narcolepsy List the key characteristics that different...

A recent New York Times article entitled "A Simple Technique to Help You Fall Asleep" by Christina Caron details a technique dubbed cognitive shuffling that took the internet by storm as a treatment for a racing mind at night. In this episode we will: Define cognitive reshuffling Explore its origins in other 'distracting' techniques including the original--counting sheep Discus...

We have all experienced it...you're sitting in bed, nodding off, and suddenly you awaken with a start feeling like you are about to fall down stairs. Hypnic myoclonus is estimated to affect as many as 60-70% of individuals, but what is it? In this episode we will: Define hypnic myoclonus, often referred to as "sleep starts" or "hypnagogic jerks" Review the symptoms of the...

26 million adult Americans have sleep apnea and 80-90% represent undiagnosed cases. Why have these numbers remained so high when there are easier diagnostic and treatment options than ever? In this episode we will: Discuss obstacles to diagnosis See how the lack of symptom specificity adds to the problem Consider if lack of provider awareness is really an issue Look at fear as a factor holding pat...

Everyone loves the NCAA basketball tournament...teams colliding in a winner-take-all tournament for basketball supremacy. Haven't you ever dreamed about a similar competition between different pillows? Well dream no longer because that bedding showdown is here. Pillows are so important to our sleep, which is why I have assembled 17 of the finest to square off in a battle the likes of which ha...

As we recover from yet another "spring forward" into Daylight Saving Time again, it seems a good time to revisit the topic we initially covered in episode 18. While that episode sought more to explain the origins of the practice and how to best adjust, this episode is more of a declaration as to why the entire practice should be abolished in favor of permanent standard time. In this epis...

It has been a while since we have focused our attention on light therapy and sleep. For this Insomnia Monday, I thought a revisiting of light therapy might be in order. In this episode we will: Touch on new research that serves to minimize the role that blue light plays in terms of sleep harm Look at other colors of light and how that might affect sleep and health Evaluate research looking at ligh...

In 2024, the Independent published an article entitled, "Experts Issue Warning About Using the Snooze Button." Previously, a sleep specialist said the snooze button was "one of the worst things you can do." Is any of this true? Could there potentially be a benefit? In this episode we will: Touch upon the history of the snooze button List some theories why it might be harmful to...

Heart rate variability (HRV) is everywhere, and in no space has it made a bigger splash than in sleep medicine. Not only is HRV influenced significantly by sleep, but it is also at the core of wearable sleep technology. In this episode we will: Define heart rate variability Discuss what increased or decreased heart rate variability means List the medical conditions often associated/predicted by ch...

If you pay any attention to sleep hygiene advice, you have probably heard many times that you should get up at the same time every day for optimal sleep. But does that mean you can never lounge around in bed a little in the morning? According to the Scottish, not at all. In fact, they have a term for it: hurkle-durkle. In this episode of the podcast, we will: Define "hurkle-durkle" Diffe...

Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulators are often advertised as insomnia therapies, "helping you fall asleep faster" or "helping you sleep through the night. Do they work? In this Insomnia Monday episode of the podcast, we will: Introduce vagal nerve stimulators Describe the path and role of the vagus nerve Understand the role of the parasympathetic nervous system Examine the limited...