The Peter Attia Drive
#77 – AMA #2 with sleep expert, Matthew Walker, Ph.D.: short sleep mutants, optimal sleep environment, sleep apnea, & rapid fire questions
28 Oct 2019
In this special episode, Matthew Walker returns for his second AMA episode where he provides his expert insight on numerous sleep-related questions directly from listeners. He answers a wide range of questions from the gene that causes the short sleeping phenotype, to the ideal sleeping position, to the optimal temperature for best sleep, to how fasting affects sleep, plus a full dissertation on sleep apnea, and much, much more. We discuss: DEC2—A genetic mutation that produces a short sleeping phenotype [11:00]; What is the best position to sleep in? [22:45]; Should you consider a “sleep divorce” with your partner? [27:00]; The challenge of kids wanting to sleep in bed with their parents [28:45]; Is there an ideal type of pillow? [32:30]; Any data on hammock sleeping? Should adults be rocked to sleep like a baby? [34:45]; The optimal room temperature and body temperature for the best sleep [38:30]; Do humidifiers help? [50:40]; How do high altitudes affect sleep? [53:15]; What is the data on weighted blankets (e.g., the Gravity blanket)? [57:00]; Caffeine—How much, and in what way, does it affect sleep? [58:15]; How does sexual activity relate to sleep quality? [1:04:00]; Should we be sleeping in two phases? First sleep & second sleep? [1:06:30]; Napping—Is there ideal duration? Should we be napping or not? [1:08:30]; Advice for new parents dealing with sleep deprivation [1:12:00]; Understanding your sleep chronotype [1:16:15]; If you drink too much alcohol in a given night, is there anything you can do to make sure your sleep isn’t wrecked? [1:20:45]; How postmenopausal women can manage their sleep problems with (and without) hormone replacement therapy [1:23:00]; Could a daily practice of Wim Hof's breathing method help or hinder quality of sleep? [1:29:15]; Why do some people paradoxically feel more tired the more they sleep? [1:31:15]; Sleep apnea—How to know if you have it, the different types, the causes, and helpful resources [1:33:15]; Is there such a thing called “sleep eating”? [1:45:00]; If Matt was “sleep czar”, what changes would he make to society to improve sleep? [1:46:15]; Catch up sleep: Explaining the difference between retrospective damage and prospective benefit [1:48:45]; Does poor sleep really speed up the aging process? [1:50:30]; Is medicated sleep better than no sleep? [1:53:00]; Does vivid dreaming disrupt the sleep cycle? [1:56:45]; Is there potential benefit to using “binaural beats” or some type of sound to induce better sleep? [1:57:45]; How is sleep affected by fasting and time-restricted eating? [1:59:45]; Is there any evidence that polyphasic sleep (e.g., "Uberman") works? [2:03:30]; and More. Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: peterattiamd.com/matthewwalkerama2/ Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other episodes from The Peter Attia Drive
Transcribed and ready to explore now
#375 - The ketogenic diet, ketosis, and hyperbaric oxygen: metabolic therapies for weight loss, cognitive enhancement, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, brain injuries, and more | Dominic D'Agostino, Ph.D.
08 Dec 2025
The Peter Attia Drive
#374 - The evolutionary biology of testosterone: how it shapes male development and sex-based behavioral differences, | Carole Hooven, Ph.D.
01 Dec 2025
The Peter Attia Drive
#372 - AMA #77: Dietary fiber and health outcomes: real benefits, overhyped claims, and practical applications
10 Nov 2025
The Peter Attia Drive
#370 - AMA #76: Peter evaluates longevity drugs, aspirin for CVD, and strategies to improve muscle mass — promising, proven, fuzzy, noise, or nonsense?
27 Oct 2025
The Peter Attia Drive
#369 ‒ Rethinking protein needs for performance, muscle preservation, and longevity, and the mental and physical benefits of creatine supplementation and sauna use | Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D.
20 Oct 2025
The Peter Attia Drive
#368 ‒ The protein debate: optimal intake, limitations of the RDA, whether high-protein intake is harmful, and how to think about processed foods | David Allison, Ph.D.
13 Oct 2025
The Peter Attia Drive