No holds barred, unscripted discussion on a wide range of sleep topics - from sleep disorders to current research and controversies in the field. No topic is off limits! Dr. Chris Winter is a clinician, a board certified neurologist and double boarded sleep specialist with 30 years of clinical experience. He is the author of The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child, and is a popular consultant and speaker, working for many professional sports teams. He is well known for his unique perspective and ability to demystify sleep, all of which he brings to Sleep Unplugged.
#214 - Top 10 Sleep Threat Power Rankings: They Couldn’t See It
Most "top sleep threats" lists stick to one lane — pediatric or adult, clinical or cultural. Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown's list refuses to. It jumps from kids' airways to menopause to AI chatbots, and by the end a pattern emerges: the same symptom, in different bodies, keeps getting waved off as normal. In this episode we will: Work through pediatric snoring dismissed as harmless and untreated mouth breathing, and why both are often lead to the same airway problem Get into exhaustion worn as a badge of honor Look closer at supplement use and the underappreciated risk of leaning on antihistamine sleep aids night after night Sit with three women's-health items back to back: 3 a.m. wake-ups blamed on "just hormones," menopause-related insomnia going undiagnosed, and the mechanisms actually behind both Think about why women's sleep apnea symptoms are getting written off as stress or anxiety To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Flexispot, please use the following link: Flexispot Hako G1 Bed and use the discount code FLEXISPOTG1 for an extra 5% off. Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#213 - Research from the 2026 SLEEP Scientific Conference: Something New
Every June, thousands of sleep researchers descend on one city and quietly rewrite what we think we know about a third of our lives. This year it was Baltimore's turn, for the 40th annual SLEEP meeting — and the data that came out of it hits closer to home than usual: blood pressure, diabetes, teenage phones, and why "night owl" might really mean "lonely." Here are my Top 10 studies from SLEEP 2026 most likely to actually change how you sleep. In this episode we will: Break down why being sleepy and wired at night is a uniquely dangerous combination for blood pressure — and why either symptom alone barely moves the needle Sit with a staggering number out of Yale: veterans with both insomnia and sleep apnea face six times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes Revisit the "regularity beats duration" thread from Episode 209 with two brand-new studies — one in preschoolers, one tracking teens all the way to age 22 Unpack why women's sleep apnea can look identical to men's on paper and feel completely different in the body, and why that's delaying diagnoses Get into the psychology of sleep: why night owls' anxiety may really be about nighttime loneliness, and why expecting bad postpartum sleep can help create it To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Flexispot, please use the following link: Flexispot Hako G1 Bed and use the discount code FLEXISPOTG1 for an extra 5% off. Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#212 - Deep Sleep and REM Sleep: A Deeper Understanding, Lost In A Dream
Deep sleep and REM sleep get lumped together as "good sleep," but they're almost opposite states — one is the quietest your brain gets all night, the other is nearly as active as being awake. In this episode we pull the two apart: how we stumbled onto each of them, what's happening chemically while they run, and why one of them quietly shrinks as we age while the other holds steadier. In this episode we will: Break down what's actually happening in slow-wave sleep versus REM — brainwaves, muscle tone, and why one is a "quiet body, quiet brain" state and the other is "quiet body, active brain" Trace the history back to 1953, when a University of Chicago graduate student stumbled onto REM sleep almost by accident Get basic on the neurochemistry: the GABA-driven shutdown that produces deep sleep, and the acetylcholine surge that flips REM on Bring in new data from SLEEP 2026 in Baltimore, including a 22-million-night wearable dataset showing how deep sleep changes across adulthood, and a mattress-temperature study that moved the needle on restful sleep by nearly 20 minutes a night Cover what actually protects deep sleep — and what quietly wrecks it, from alcohol to late caffeine to a bedroom that's too warm To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor SideSleeperZ, please use the following link: https://sidesleeperz.com/ Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#211 - Insomnia and Sleep Apnea: Just Don’t Know
We tend to think of insomnia and sleep apnea as two completely different sleep disorders. One means you can't sleep. The other means you stop breathing. Simple, right? Not so fast. In reality, many people with sleep apnea don't complain about snoring or excessive daytime sleepiness. Instead, they complain that they wake up repeatedly throughout the night and can't stay asleep. In this episode we will: Explain why sleep apnea often causes insomnia-like symptoms rather than daytime sleepiness Explore the growing recognition of COMISA (comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea) Discuss why women and non-traditional sleep apnea patients are especially likely to be misdiagnosed Review the latest research on treating insomnia and sleep apnea together To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Sleep Reset, please use the following link: https://www.thesleepreset.com/podcast Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#210 - Top 10 Sleep Threat Power Rankings: Stop Right Now, Thank You Very Much
This week marks the 12th month we have put out the Top 10 Sleep Threats Power Rankings, and this week, we have a special guest assessor, Upneet Chawla, MD (@sleeping.beauty_md). Upneet is an internist and board-certified sleep specialist. In this episode, she has graciously provided us her list. In this episode we will: Find out what Dr. Chawla thinks are the top threats to your sleep Incorporate abstracts from the 2026 Sleep meeting to illustrate her points Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#209 - Sleep Quantity or Consistency…which is Queen?: Your Future’s At Stake
Sleep duration has always been the headline number in sleep science, but mounting research is pushing the conversation toward something less obvious: how consistent your timing is from night to night. In this episode we dig into a debate that's far from settled, and into a statistical trap that may be quietly distorting it. WIn this episode we will: Break down the four separable pillars of sleep health: duration, consistency, continuity, and circadian alignment Walk through the landmark UK Biobank study showing sleep regularity outpredicting duration for all-cause mortality Bring in brand-new data from SLEEP 2026 in Baltimore linking sleep consistency to long-term cardiovascular trajectories Expose the "range restriction trap," why duration looks less important in these studies largely because almost nobody in them was severely sleep-deprived for years on end Stress-test the theory with five hypothetical sleepers, each excelling at one dimension and failing at another, to figure out which variable really wins when you push it to the extreme To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Welltory, please use the following link: https://welltory.com/ Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#208 - Menopause and Sleep Update: Outside This Woman's Work
Menopause has always been linked to sleep disruption, but the story has changed dramatically since we last covered it in episode 3. Hot flashes and night sweats still matter, but newer research is pushing us to think more broadly about brain temperature regulation, insomnia, mood, sleep apnea, cardiometabolic risk, and a new generation of nonhormonal medications that directly target vasomotor biology. In this episode we will: Revisit why menopause so often produces sleep-maintenance insomnia Explore the KNDy neuron/neurokinin pathway and why drugs like fezolinetant and elinzanetant matter Separate hot-flash awakenings from true insomnia disorder Discuss CBT-I, hormone therapy, and nonhormonal treatment options Explain why sleep apnea and cardiometabolic risk should not be overlooked in midlife women To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Moonbird, please use the following link: https://www.moonbird.life Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#207 - Insomnia and Narcolepsy: Tired of the Same Old Story
Narcolepsy is often described as a disorder of excessive daytime sleepiness, but that description only tells part of the story. Many people living with narcolepsy also struggle with fragmented, restless, and unrefreshing sleep at night; and these symptoms that can look a lot like insomnia. In recent years, researchers have increasingly viewed narcolepsy as a disorder of sleep-wake instability, where the boundaries between wakefulness, non-REM sleep, and REM sleep become less secure. Understanding narcolepsy through this lens helps explain why someone can be profoundly sleepy during the day and still feel like they "can't sleep" at night. In this episode we will: Explore why disrupted nighttime sleep is considered a core symptom of narcolepsy, not merely a side effect Discuss the role of orexin (hypocretin) in stabilizing sleep and wake states and what happens when that system fails Examine the surprising overlap between narcolepsy and insomnia symptoms, including frequent awakenings, vivid dreaming, and nonrestorative sleep Review key research supporting the concept of sleep-state instability as a unifying explanation for many narcolepsy symptoms Consider how treatments aimed at improving nighttime sleep consolidation may help patients feel more alert and functional during the day To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Sleep Reset, please use the following link: https://www.thesleepreset.com/podcast Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#206 - Sleep Trackers in the Clinic--Help or Harm?: I Guess I Gotta Buy It
Sleep trackers have become one of the fastest-growing trends in modern health culture. Rings, watches, apps, and mattress sensors now promise to measure everything about your sleep, but are these devices actually helping us sleep better…or simply giving us one more thing to worry about? In this episode, we will: Discuss whether sleep trackers improve sleep health or simply increase sleep-related anxiety Explore whether sleep trackers are evolving from wellness gadgets into legitimate healthcare tools Discuss the recent news surrounding Oura’s confidential IPO filing and what it says about the future of sleep technology Explore the concept of “orthosomnia” and why the pursuit of perfect sleep scores may backfire Review studies examining the accuracy of modern sleep trackers for total sleep time, REM sleep, and deep sleep Talk about who may genuinely benefit from sleep tracking and who may actually be harmed by it. Examine research suggesting that health data alone often fails to change behavior unless paired with education, coaching, or medical guidance To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor NOCTEM Health, please use the following link: https://noctemhealth.com/ Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#205 - Socks In Bed: Taking All The Heat On Your Feet
People tend to have surprisingly strong opinions about wearing socks in bed. Some people swear by them, claiming they fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. Others find them uncomfortable, claustrophobic, or far too warm. But beneath this oddly polarizing sleep habit lies some genuinely fascinating science involving thermoregulation, circulation, and the body’s preparation for sleep. In this episode, we will: Explore why warming your feet may actually help cool your core body temperature Review the physiology of distal vasodilation and why warming the feet may help people fall asleep faster Discuss the landmark research by Kräuchi, Raymann, Ko, and others examining foot temperature and sleep onset Examine how socks may improve sleep continuity and reduce nighttime awakenings in cooler sleeping environments Explain why warm feet and a cool bedroom may actually represent an ideal combination for sleep Discuss the difference between healthy sleep-supportive habits and sleep rituals that can evolve into “sleep effort” Review what types of socks may work best for sleep, including breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#204 - Nidra for RLS: Voltage Running Through Your Skin
Restless Legs Syndrome has long been treated as a medication problem. But what if one of the most important clues was hidden in the thing patients already know: movement helps. Nidra, a prescription neuromodulation device using tonic motor activation, attempts to borrow the benefit of movement without requiring patients to pace the bedroom at 2:00 AM. In this episode we will: Review how Nidra stimulates the peroneal nerves to engage movement-related pathways Explore the RESTFUL pivotal trial and the extension data that supported FDA authorization Discuss what the studies showed for IRLS scores, global improvement, sleep quality, and safety Examine why this therapy fits into the changing RLS treatment landscape Identify which patients may be good candidates and who should avoid it Share the practical keys to a successful Nidra experience, from placement to consistency Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#203 - What’s Next To Your Bed?: In The Dark, Try To Make It Work
What’s on your bedside table? A lamp? A phone? A book? A bottle of melatonin gummies? A tangled charging cable? In this episode we explore what our bedside environments reveal about our relationship with sleep itself. Using real listener-submitted nightstands and bedside drawers — including my own — we introduce the Sleep Sanctuary Index (SSI™), a playful but evidence-informed scoring system designed to determine whether the things beside our bed are helping or hurting sleep. Along the way we discuss insomnia psychology, sensory regulation, sleep consumerism, clutter, nighttime rituals, and why some bedside tables feel like sanctuaries while others feel like tactical survival stations. In this episode we will: Introduce the “Sleep Sanctuary Index (SSI™)” — a 100-point grading system for bedside tables and bedside drawers Explore how clocks, clutter, visible cords, and environmental overstimulation may contribute to cognitive arousal and insomnia Discuss research surrounding conditioned arousal, hypervigilance, and why the bedroom environment matters psychologically Examine how sound machines, eye masks, earplugs, nasal strips, and breathing devices may support sleep by improving sensory control and reducing physiologic arousal Analyze real bedside setups ranging from “Reflective Sleep Specialist” to “Tactical Survivor” Discuss the rise of “sleep consumerism” and whether too many sleep interventions can paradoxically make sleep feel like work Explore how nighttime environments can become associated with either safety and ritual…or vigilance and performance Invite listeners to submit photos of their own bedside tables and drawers to receive an official Sleep Sanctuary Index score and Nightstand Personality Type designation To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Moonbird, please use the following link: https://www.moonbird.life Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#202 - AI Sleep Therapists: Machines to Save Our Lives, Machines Dehumanize
Artificial intelligence is quietly moving into one of the most human spaces we have: therapy. Chatbots now deliver cognitive behavioral strategies, respond with empathy, and are available 24/7 at a fraction of the cost of traditional care. But does that mean the therapist is on the verge of extinction? Or are we misunderstanding what therapy actually is? In this episode, we explore the science, the promise, and the limits of AI in mental health, and ask a deeper question about connection, loneliness, and what it really means to be “seen.” In this episode we will: Review the current research on AI-based therapy, including randomized trials showing improvements in anxiety and depression• Examine where AI performs well, particularly in structured approaches like CBT and skills-based interventions Explore the concept of “perceived empathy” and why AI can feel supportive without forming a true therapeutic relationship Discuss the major limitations of AI, including safety concerns, crisis management, and lack of clinical judgment Analyze real-world examples of therapy chatbots and hybrid care models already being used in clinical settings Consider whether AI may actually worsen loneliness over time, despite reducing it in the moment Reframe the future of therapy as collaboration rather than replacement, with AI extending care but not replacing human connection To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Sleep Reset, please use the following link: https://www.thesleepreset.com/podcast Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#201 - Top 10 Sleep Threat Power Rankings: I Should Be Scared, But I Feel No Fear
This week marks the 11th month we have put out the Top 10 Sleep Threats Power Rankings, and this week, we have a special guest assessor, Ellen Wermter FNP-BC. Ellen is a nurse practitioner and board-certified behavioral sleep specialist. In this episode, Ellen has graciously provided us her list. In this episode we will: Find out what Ellen thinks are the top threats to your sleep Focus on how nurse practitioners and physician assistats are playing a increasing large role in sleep medicine Learn why Ellen's list marks a different view of sleep problems than lists previously Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#200 - Sleep Reflections and Hopes: 200 More Before I Sleep
Sleep has never been more visible...or more complicated. In a world of sleep scores, optimization strategies, and endless advice, the pursuit of better sleep has quietly shifted into something more rigid, and for many, more stressful. At the same time, the science of sleep has never been stronger, and the opportunity to reshape how we think about insomnia and restoration has never been greater. Now, we step back and take stock. We examine the unintended consequences of modern sleep culture while looking ahead to what a healthier, more grounded sleep could look like by episode 400. In this episode we will: Examine the unintended consequences of modern sleep culture and the rise of sleep-related anxiety Explore how optimization and sleep tracking can paradoxically worsen sleep quality Review the concept of orthosomnia and its clinical implications Discuss how fear-based messaging around sleep may contribute to insomnia Reframe what “good sleep” means through a clinical and behavioral lens Imagine how sleep science, treatment, and public discourse could evolve over the next 200 episodes Identify what elements of current sleep culture are worth keeping—and what should be left behind Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#199 - Sleep Fixes With Fine Print: The Only Risk That You Would Take
Sleep fixes are everywhere—magnesium, melatonin, mouth taping, CPAP, turmeric, even that glass of wine before bed. And the truth is, most of them work . But what often gets left out is the fine print: the dosing, the timing, the patient selection, and the unintended consequences that can quietly turn a good idea into a bad outcome. In this episode we will: Examine how magnesium supplementation can drift into unsafe territory, especially in the setting of renal impairment Review the risks of mouth taping, including aspiration, skin complications, and worsening undiagnosed sleep apnea Explore the nuanced role of CPAP, including where it helps—and where it may not improve cardiovascular outcomes in milder cases Break down turmeric and “golden milk” trends, including dose creep and emerging concerns around hepatotoxicity Discuss the underappreciated risks of modafinil, including effects on contraception and potential teratogenicity Provide a clear-eyed look at hypnotic medications and how they alter the perception of sleep more than sleep itself Clarify why melatonin is best understood as a circadian signal—not a sedative—and how mistiming can backfire Highlight additional “sleep fixes” like alcohol, naps, weighted blankets, and sleep trackers that come with their own caveats Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#198: The Loneliness Epidemic and Insomnia: Out by Myself
Insomnia is often framed as a nighttime disorder—but what if, for many patients, it’s also a daytime problem of disconnection? As loneliness emerges as a major public health issue, a growing body of research suggests that social isolation and poor sleep may be deeply intertwined, each reinforcing the other in a self-sustaining cycle. Drawing on the work of Vivek Murthy and current sleep science, this episode explores how loneliness affects insomnia, how insomnia may worsen social disconnection, and what interventions actually help. In this episode we will: Review how loneliness and social isolation are defined and why they matter for long-term health Explain the biological and psychological mechanisms linking loneliness to insomnia, including hyperarousal and rumination Examine experimental and longitudinal research showing that poor sleep can increase next-day loneliness and social withdrawal Distinguish between objective isolation, subjective loneliness, and relationship quality—and why that matters clinically Discuss evidence-based interventions including CBT-I, behavioral activation, mindfulness, and structured social engagement Offer a practical framework for identifying and treating insomnia when disconnection is part of the clinical picture To find out more about this week's podcast sponsor Sleep Reset, please use the following link: https://www.thesleepreset.com/podcast Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#197 - Top 10 Sleep Threat Power Rankings: The Challenges We're Facing
This week marks the 10th month we have put out the Top 10 Sleep Threats Power Rankings, and this week, we have a special guest assessor, Vanderbilt Professor of Neurology and Sleep Medicine Dr. Beth Malow. In addition to promoting her new book Beyond the Politics of Contempt—Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times, Dr. Malow has graciously provided us her list. In this episode we will: Find out what Dr. Malow thinks are the top threats to your sleep Focus on how Dr. Malow looks at our divided political and stressful times as core drivers of sleep problems Learn why Beth's list marks a different view of sleep problems than lists previously Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#196 - Red Light Therapy: All I See Is Red
Red light therapy has moved well beyond the world of skincare and into something far more biologically intriguing. From mitochondrial function to retinal aging to chronic tendon pain, specific wavelengths of light, particularly in the 630 to 670 nm range, are being studied for their ability to influence how our cells produce energy, respond to stress, and recover from injury. While the science is promising, it is also uneven, with strong signals in some areas and much thinner evidence in others. In this episode we will: Review the fundamentals of photobiomodulation and how red light interacts with mitochondria Learn about the differences between common wavelengths like 630 nm and 670 nm and why they matter Examine the strongest evidence for red light therapy in skin health and cosmetic applications Explore the emerging research on 670 nm light and retinal function, including effects on color contrast sensitivity Break down the mixed clinical data on age-related macular degeneration and what multiwavelength trials are showing Discover the preclinical evidence suggesting protection of retinal ganglion cells and neuroretinal tissue Evaluate the research behind red light therapy for musculoskeletal pain, including plantar fasciitis and tendinopathies Understand the limitations of current studies, including dosing variability and small sample sizes Identify where red light therapy may fit as an adjunct versus where it falls short as a primary treatment Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
#195 - Pillow Fight 2026: Lay It On The Line
It's NCAA Selection Sunday, and that means the Pillow Fight is back. This year we've assembled 16 new pillows, each full of hope that they will be the last pillow standing and hoist the SideSleeperZ Cup. In this episode, we will: Explain the second annual Sleep Unplugged Pillow Fight tournament Touch upon how important choosing the right pillow is for sleep Breakdown the scoring system (25% Committee, 25% my blinded experience, 25% Sleep Specialist input, 10% Crowd/Social Media (Instagram) following, 10% 'Induced Fit', and 5% Packaging and Extras). Introduce the 16 competitors: Authenticity50, Beckham Hotel, Bedgear, Brooklinen, Casaluna, Chamberlain Down, Coop, GeliSleep, Hästens, Hest, Lincove, Onyx, Pluto, Scrumptious, ViSpring, and Yogasleep Original intro music Vigilanteology by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Original outro music Vigilanteology (reprise) by Abhinav Singh (copyright 2026) Produced by: Maeve Winter Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
