Michael P. Murphy, MD, MPH, joins the podcast to discuss sleep apnea and snoring. He provides various ways to test your sleep at home, including the STOP-Bang Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. He also discusses different possible solutions for these common sleep conditions, including palette expansion, mouth tape, weight loss, and CPAP machines. Listen now to learn why these conditions are health issues, not just quality of life issues, and what you can do if you are experiencing symptoms. GUEST BIO: "Michael P. Murphy, MD, MPH is trained as a physician of sleep medicine and as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon. He is one of only 275 physicians in the United States who is double board-certified in these two fields. This dual certification enables him to treat sleep apnea, snoring, and other sleep-related conditions, providing a full range of treatment options. He is able to perform the Inspire surgery for patients with sleep apnea who have not tolerated other treatments. Dr. Murphy’s practice is part of the Stanford Health Care system, located in a community in the San Francisco Bay Area where he has practiced since 2002. His medical practice encompasses a full range of care for patients of all ages, from young children to adults and seniors. He is a dedicated physician, and his success is reflected in service to more than 6,000 patients over the past three years alone. His commitment to quality patient care is reflected in 220 grateful testimonials and almost 900 upvotes on the Stanford Health Care website. Dr. Murphy obtained his medical degree with distinction in research from St. Louis University Medical School, was top of his class, and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He did his residency in otolaryngology at the University of Washington in Seattle, spent two additional years as an NIH Research Fellow, earned a competitive otolaryngology research grant from the American Academy of Otolaryngology, and completed a master’s degree in public health. "
Dr. Wendy Troxel, Ph.D. joins the podcast to discuss sleeping as a couple. The way we sleep has changed throughout history as cultural norms change. We tend to feel judged if we don’t sleep according to the standards set out by culture, which can affect our sleep quality. Dr. Wendy Troxel discusses the advantages and disadvantages to consider when deciding whether to share a bed with your partner or sleep alone. She explains how you can take steps to protect your sleep, while promoting your relationship quality at the same time, even if you and your partner require separate needs or sleep schedules. GUEST BIO: Dr. Wendy Troxel, Ph.D. is internationally recognized as the leading authority on couples and sleep and author of “Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep”. She is a Senior Behavioral Scientist at the RAND Corporation and holds Adjunct Faculty positions at the University of Pittsburgh and University of Utah. Dr. Troxel is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist, with more than fifteen years of clinical and research experience in sleep medicine. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, private foundations, and corporations, and has been published in top-tier medical journals. She serves as a scientific advisor for several corporations and is a member of the National Institutes of Health Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board. In addition to her academic credentials, Dr. Troxel is a highly sought after public speaker and her work has been featured by numerous media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Sunday Morning, NPR, and the BBC. She is also a regular contributor to HuffPost, Thrive Global, and Psychology Today. Dr. Troxel’s TEDx talk has received over 2.2 million views, and is at the forefront of national conversations concerning the impact of early school start times on adolescent sleep. Arianna Huffington called her one of the 5 most influential people in sleep, saying “Wendy Troxel is on the front lines of the sleep revolution. Again and again, her research shows just how fundamentally sleep affects every aspect of our lives…”
Jim Poole, the CEO of Solace Lifesciences and producer of NuCalm explains how the groundbreaking technology was invented and how it helps to balance the health of the human nervous system, thereby improving stress, sleep, anxiety and more. NuCalm is the only patented technology of its kind, and it helps improve mental state without prescription medications or other drugs. You’ll learn how it works, why it works, and why it’s a revolutionary solution to serious stress-related problems experienced by people every day. EPISODE NOTES: What is NuCalm? And how can this revolutionary, patented technology help your sleep? Inventing a technology that quickly and safely relaxes the mind without side effects. How NuCalm taps into your nervous system to calm you without using prescription or other types of drugs. The connection between stress and sleep and how regulating one is vital for optimizing the other. Discovering that sleep is about 80% dependent on the human stress response. The ways in which NuCalm provides access to stress responses and helps improve sleep in the process. How NuCalm was able to get the only patent in the world for balancing the human autonomic nervous system, which governs fear, stress, anxiety, depression, fight, or flight, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. A description of what actually happens when you use NuCalm to improve your stress or sleep. The three different ways in which NuCalm improves your sleep and how it is different from all other sleep optimization techniques. Why it’s important for adults to dream and how NuCalm helps to make up for the GABA deficiencies that occur to most people as they age. How NuCalm can help auxiliary issues that affect sleep, like PTSD or anxiety or other stress-related struggles. GUEST BIO: Jim Poole is the Chairman, President and CEO of Solace Lifesciences, Inc. He is an accomplished business executive with extensive experience in the healthcare, biotechnology, market research, dental, financial services, and IT industries. Since 2009 Mr. Poole has managed the strategic direction and ongoing operations of Solace Lifesciences, Inc., the neuroscience company that created the world’s first and only patented, clinically-proven platform that allows humans to change their mental state on-demand without drugs, without side effects, and without compromise. In 2015, Solace Lifesciences, the maker of NuCalm, was granted the world’s sole patent for “Systems and Methods for Balancing and Maintaining the Health of the Human Autonomic Nervous System.” A New York state native, Poole earned a BA in psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an MBA in International Business & Marketing from Babson College. EPISODE LINKS: www.nucalm.com jim.poole@nucalm.com Use the Promo Code mm10off for 10% off a NuCalm product. DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this podcast, our website, newsletter, and the resources available for download are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical or health advice. The information contained on these platforms is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation.
The founder of Upgraded Formulas, Barton Scott, joins the podcast to discuss why testing yourself regularly for mineral deficiencies is the only way to stay on top of your health and take control over your health and sleep quality. Upgraded Formulas has a “Test, Don’t Guess” mantra that permeates everything they do, and they provide regular people with the access needed to get professional mineral testing without needing to go to expensive doctors or nutritionists. Barton discusses why testing, mineral particle size, and optimum absorption technologies are vital for achieving positive outcomes with supplements. EPISODE NOTES: Barton Scott shares the path that led him to found Upgraded Formulas, a supplement company with a “Test, Don’t Guess” mentality. How Upgraded Formulas is focused on helping people find the right supplements to optimize their sleep. The importance of treating the underlying cause of sleep and health problems instead of just treating the symptoms. What sets supplements and minerals from Upgraded Formulas apart from the products of other companies. A discussion on the particle size of a mineral and how that affects absorption, and by default, effectiveness in the body. The positive effects of magnesium on sleep optimization metrics like deep sleep, REM sleep, and other factors. Why it’s important to test your mineral levels on a regular basis to understand what your body needs for healthy sleep and other physical ailments. How Upgraded Formulas makes testing affordable and accessible to people who want to improve their sleep and health outcomes. Preparing yourself for testing and understanding that minerals are the building blocks of the hormones that regular your body. Hormones affect so many areas of your life from sleep to focus to sex drive. Barton shares his sleep routine and what supplements he’s personally taking to help optimize his sleep quality. GUEST BIO: Barton Scott was a chemical engineer and used this background coupled with being a nutritionist and researcher, to create Upgraded Formulas. Barton is passionate about helping people combat the stressors of daily life, the toxicity of the modern world, the utter lack of nutrients, and the mineral absorption issues that we all face, and he has made it his mission to reduce suffering by increasing the public’s understanding of the human body’s interrelationships. Upgraded Formulas also supports Charitywater.org in the great work they do! EPISODE LINKS: https://www.upgradedformulas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/askbarton/ https://twitter.com/itsbartonscott https://www.linkedin.com/in/1bartonscott barton@upgradedformulas.com DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this podcast, our website, newsletter, and the resources available for download are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical or health advice. The information contained on these platforms is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation.
Brian Richards joins the podcast to discuss the sleep and health journey that led him to build his own incandescent light sauna and turn his idea into an industry-leading company called Sauna Space: https://sauna.space/?rfsn=4195269.19fece. Incandescent light therapy has historically been used to treat a myriad of health problems, and Brian was inspired by medical pioneers to address his own issues with fatigue, acne, racing thoughts, and lack of quality sleep. The effects of sauna on body temperature regulation and mitochondrial melatonin could play a role in your sleep & health results. Check out their Research Archive for the latest research on the topic: https://sauna.space/infrared-sauna-light-therapy-research ️How Brian’s physical and sleep health journey led to the birth of Sauna Space. ️Addressing the symptoms of fatigue, acne, and other health issues through holistic means and the detoxification properties of sauna. ️Looking back into history at the work of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, who invented the electric incandescent light bath and wrote the first book on light therapeutics. ️Brian’s experiments into building his own light bath and experiencing great sleep when he did light therapy right before bed. ️Getting rid of all his sleep problems and the other unexpected benefits Brian experienced while using light therapy. ️How Sauna Space grew from building small light therapy units for friends and family into a business with over 40 employees and multiple products. ️The studies that support the health and regenerative properties of red and near-infrared light therapy. ️Taking the knowledge gleaned from scientific studies and turning it into a product that people can use at home. ️Sauna acts similarly to cold therapy to regulate body temperature and improve sleep results. ️How the various detoxifying aspects of sauna help with quality of sleep. ️A new breakthrough in using photobiomodulation to optimize sleep through mitochondrial melatonin. ️What makes the indoor environment so stressful to humans and what people can do to make it more naturalistic. ️The importance of flickering when it comes to light, how it’s connected to things like migraines, insomnia, and depression, and what Sauna Space is doing about it. ️Why lack of sleep and mind-racing is related to unnatural light and sources of EMF that didn’t exist even a hundred years ago. GUEST BIO: Brian Richards is a nationally known expert in sauna therapy, light therapy, and EMF science. In 2013, he founded SaunaSpace, a company that combines cutting-edge infrared technology with the age-old practice of sauna. In 2008, Brian faced an important health decision: start taking pharmaceuticals for acne, insomnia, and adrenal fatigue OR try full-spectrum sauna therapy coupled with ancestral practices like clean diet, proper sleep, and yoga. By opting for the natural approach, Brian rapidly transformed his health. This life-changing experience inspired him to create SaunaSpace. In 2013, he founded SaunaSpace, a company that combines cutting-edge infrared technology with the age-old practice of sauna. In his journey to develop the perfect product, Brian has immersed himself in the science and research behind light, heat, electromagnetism and the human body. Thirteen years later, he brings a refreshing approach to natural living, biohacking and natural health transformation. EPISODE LINKS: https://sauna.space/?rfsn=4195269.19fece https://www.instagram.com/saunaspace/ https://twitter.com/SaunaSpace https://www.facebook.com/saunaspace/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/saunaspace DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this podcast, our website, newsletter, and the resources available for download are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical or health advice. The information contained on these platforms is not a substitute f...
Ketone Esters used to be a luxury reserved for pro athletes until Frank Llosa entered the scene and did the research to bring this drink to the masses at an affordable price point. He talks to us about his journey to found KetoneAid and how extensive trials, studies, and customer feedback has revolutionized the way the drink is used, particularly for sleep optimization. Frank also discusses the creation of ethanol-free alcohol called Hard Ketones that replaces traditional alcoholic drinks and has a positive effect on your sleep instead of a negative one. You can use the promo code SLEEPISASKILL for free shipping and SLEEP15 for 15% off Hard Ketones products. EPISODE NOTES: What is a Ketone Ester and how is it different from a ketogenic diet? The roadblocks Frank and his team faced in order to bring a Ketone Ester product to the consumer market. How KetoneAid can potentially help deep sleep and sleep optimization. Using KetoneAid for energy and better sleep if you’re not on a ketogenic diet. The important way in which drinking Ketone Ester products is different from being in ketosis through diet. How KetoneAid helps athletes reach their maximum potential including impacting their sleep protocols. The incredible results from a clinical trial that tested professional cyclists taking Ketone Esters at different times of the day, including right before bed. A Tour de France rider’s experience with KetoneAid and his shocking HRV readings after a night of incredible sleep. The delicate balance of ketones required for optimal sleep metrics. Caffeine’s disastrous effects on sleep and how KetoneAid can provide better energy and better sleep results. The difference between caffeine energy and KetoneAid energy. Meal-timing and how it can affect the amount of KetoneAid required to make a difference in your energy levels. An exciting new development in alcoholic drinks: ethanol-free alcohol and why that matters. KetoneAid introduces a brand called Hard Ketones which makes hard seltzer and a canned G&T that is nothing like the alcohol you’ve tried before. How Hard Ketones are different from traditional alcohol and why that’s extremely important for your sleep and well-being GUEST BIO: KetoneAid was founded by Frank Llosa, a serial entrepreneur who has an incredible track record of success in a number of fields from real estate, to highly technical photography for National Geographic, to one of the first cloud-based storage systems available to the public. Mr. Llosa was also an elite Division I track athlete who currently incorporates biohacking to stay competitive in all his endeavors. EPISODE LINKS: https://shop.ketoneaid.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hardketones/ https://www.instagram.com/ketoneaid/
Heart Rate Variability is a popular topic in the discussion of sleep optimization and in this episode, Dr. Jay Wiles, a clinical health psychologist and the founder of Hanu Health, explains exactly what HRV is and why it’s important. He also busts some myths regarding this important metric and how it relates to sleep. Can your HRV baseline change? Do alcohol and THC affect your HRV score? Is it helpful to compare your HRV data to other people? All of these questions and more are answered in this edition of the Sleep is a Skill podcast. EPISODE NOTES: Dr. Jay Wiles discusses his professional background and how he became an expert on Heart Rate Variability. What does Heart Rate Variability (HRV) actually mean and why is it important? How HRV is related to sleep and the devices that help you keep track of it. The activities and situations that can affect your HRV and why variability is vital for general health and sleep optimization. HRV is a proxy that allows people to examine the hu...
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Richard Bedlack, a renowned authority on ALS research and patient care, and Dr. Wissam Mansour, a pulmonary specialist who focuses on ALS and sleep. At the Duke ALS Clinic, they are involved in advancing the research and treatments for ALS patients to improve outcomes. Dr. Bedlack shares his knowledge of the potential connection between sleep disorders and ALS, and his research into alternative therapies that may have led to ALS reversals in certain patients. Dr. Mansour discusses the importance of screening ALS patients for sleep disorders and the necessity of proactive measures for treatment. EPISODE NOTES: How Dr. Richard Bedlack came to ALS research and why he developed a multi-disciplinary team at Duke for ALS care. Dr. Wissam Mansour’s journey from pulmonary critical care, to sleep training, to joining Dr. Bedlack’s ALS team at Duke. Exploring the possible connection between ALS and sleep disorders Sleep-related breathing disorders, insomnia, and sleep movement disorders in ALS patients How sleep disorders can potentially impact quality of life and length of life in people with ALS The genetic factors that link ALS, sleep-wake cycles, and parts of the brain involved in sleep. Screening ALS patients for general sleep problems and dealing with ALS-specific sleep disorders How accumulating CO2 levels during an ALS patient’s sleep can cause other serious health issues The importance of proactive measures for treating sleep problems in ALS patients Demystifying the types of non-invasive ventilation options for people with ALS Dr. Bedlack discusses his experience with alternative and off-label therapies for ALS Creating the ALSUntangled program to investigate alternative therapies and provide patients with a better understanding of treatment options Dr. Bedlack’s research into ALS reversals and patients who have completely recovered from the disease How melatonin, a supplement usually taken for sleep regulation, can suppress neuroinflammation that can be relevant to ALS The potential link between poor sleep quality and other disorders like Parkinson’s and ALS The far-reaching impacts of ALS on sleep, both for the patients and their families A discussion on the value of wearables to track sleep metrics for ALS patients The variety of ALS symptoms that can affect sleep quality Dr. Bedlack and Dr. Mansour share their personal sleep routines and what is on their nightstands right now GUEST BIOS: Dr. Richard Bedlack is a Professor of Neurology at Duke and Director of the Duke ALS Clinic. He has won awards for teaching and patient care, including best Neurology teacher at Duke, Health Care Hero, Strength Hope and Caring Award, America’s Best Doctor, the American Academy of Neurology Patient Advocate of the Year, and the Rasmussen ALS Patient Advocate of the Year. He has received ALS research grants, participated in ALS clinical trials, and published more than 100 ALS articles. He is the leader of the international ALSUntangled program which utilizes social networking to investigate alternative and off-label treatment options for patients with ALS, and the leader of the ALS Reversals program which attempts to understand why some people with ALS recover from it, and to make this happen more often. He lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife Shelly and two mischievous cats. Dr. Wissam Mansour is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine at Duke University. His clinical and research interests are focused on sleep-related breathing disorders and neuromuscular lung disease. He is particularly interested in advancing our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to sleep-disordered breathing and allowing for a more targeted treatment approach. EPISODE LINKS: Website: www.dukealsclinic.org Email: Richard.bedlack@duke.edu w...
Mollie chats with Dr. Michael Breus, a sleep specialist who is officially known as The Sleep Doctor. Dr. Breus has written many books on sleep, including a groundbreaking biohacking book called The Power of When, which proves that there is a perfect time to do everything based on your biological chronotype. In this episode, they discuss how your chronotype (for example: being a night owl or an early bird) dictates how you should organize your sleep habits and other aspects of your life. SHOWNOTES: ️ How looking for a residency in athletic psychology led Dr. Breus to sleep research. ️ What makes Dr. Breus uniquely qualified to share his sleep expertise. ️ The definition of chronotypes and why your individual chronotype matters for your sleep quality. ️ How Dr. Breus’ book, The Power of When, revolutionized the understanding of chronotypes of all aspects of life, including sleep regulation. ️ Dr. Breus’ specialty and how failing with an insomnia patient caused a breakthrough in his treatment style. ️ How your genetics dictate your chronotype and what that means for your sleep cycle. ️ The four chronotypes and how you can identify which one you are to use biohacking techniques for sleep and other activities. ️ How your chronotype can change based on your life stage and how that adjusts your sleep schedule. ️ The way your chronotype affects your hormones and what that means for your life and sleep. ️ Why light is important for your circadian rhythm and how sunlight differs from artificial light. ️ Using the Time Shifter app to control your light exposure and reduce jet lag. ️ How chronobiology can be used by medical professionals to improve diagnostics. ️ What to do about your sleep schedule if you are a dolphin chronotype. ️ Dr. Breus addresses the myth that every person needs eight hours of sleep and how to identify your personal sleep needs. ️ Which chronotypes are allowed to nap during the day and which are not. ️ Dr. Breus shares his sleep personal sleep routine and why power hour is the most important part of your sleep schedule. ️ Thoughts on sleep hygiene and how its importance varies from person to person. ️ Special products for sleep that Dr. Breus has tested and his thoughts on them. ️ Discussion of Dr. Breus’ new book, Energize!, which came out on December 14th and connects chronotype to body type so that you can have the energy to achieve your goals. BIO: Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., is a double board-certified Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Sleep Specialist. He is one of only 168 psychologists in the world to have taken and passed the Sleep Medicine Boards without going to Medical School. Dr. Breus is the author of many books including The Power of When, which is a groundbreaking bio-hacking book proving that there is a perfect time to do everything, based on your biological chronotype (early bird or night owl). He has a new book out called Energize! which combines chronotypes with body types to optimize your exercise routine and give you the energy to achieve your goals. EPISODE LINKS: Websites: http://thesleepdoctor.com https://energizemyself.com Email: dr.breus@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesleepdoctor Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesleepdoctor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesleepdoctor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesleepdoctor
In this episode, Mollie is joined by Nick Coetzee, an entrepreneur focused on helping people improve their sleep quality using red light therapy. Nick explains the mechanisms by which red light exposure can help with a variety of issues, including autoimmune disorders and protection from the sun’s UV rays. He also explains the importance of blue light blockers and optimizing exposure to natural light. His organization, Mychondria, focuses on encouraging people to try red light therapy and explore the variety of health benefits. Show Notes: Nick’s story and what led him to create his organization Why did they focus on red light therapy The mechanisms by which red light therapy can help to improve sleep How Nick reduces blue light exposure before sleep and his sleep routine When to use red light therapy Choosing a red light device Nick discusses how red light therapy can increase testosterone levels and improve fertility Infrared exposure for protection from the sun’s UV rays Infra...