Claim OwnershipSleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter
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© 2025 Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter
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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.
183 Episodes
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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 gold standard in sleep medicineUnderstand what actually happens during an overnight sleep study (yes...
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 wrongDetermine which medications are most often implicated (benzodiazepines vs Z-drugs vs trazodone)Take a deep dive into the three best studies on sleeping pills and dementia riskFind out why some large studies do sho...
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 sleepFocus on mental health as a sleep detractorLearn more about the concept of FOMO or "fear of missing out" and how research is indicating it is a real threat to the sleep of manyProduced by: Maeve Wi...
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 maskAuthenticity50 beddingBee Ulmo honeyBlueAir air purification systems (MiniRestful)Dagsmejan sleepwearHästens mattresses and sleep productsHoneydew Sleep pillowsLof...
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 hypersomnolence disorders. In this episode, we will: Define what orexin is and why losing it dest...
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 fragmentationContrast the differences between arousals from sleep and awakenings from sleepUnderstand why sleep fragmentation goes unnoticed by providers and patients alikeList some common causes of sleep fragmentationReview how sleep fragmentation appears in sleep dataTouch upon research about sleep fragmentation spec...
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 mediaUnderstand the difference between causation and relationshipsLearn how the use to percentages can distort the scale of an effectRead how media frequently confuses "sleep deprivation" and "insomnia"Evaluate an example of how media can positively educate and help readers understand insom...
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 MLBTalk about how these two teams came to sleep medicine as a performance toolLearn how anybody or any organization could benefit from sleepProduced by: Maeve Winter More Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter...
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 qualityExplore how dehydration disrupts sleep architecture—raising heart rate, cortisol, and even airway resistanceLearn how hydration supports thermoregulation, helps maintain slow-wave sleep, and prevents the dry-mouth awakenings familiar to CPAP users and frequent flyersBreak down the latest research, from stu...
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 outFind out why your sleep becomes fragmented and restless, and what recent research reveals about the role of hypoxia, periodic breathing, and even oxidative stress in your slumber at altitudeShare new data on how alt...
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 hygieneLook at what research tell us in terms of using sleep hygiene as a tool for insomnia treatmentDive into what it means for an insomnia therapy to workDifferentiate between acti...
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 alternativesReview what research says about sleep outcomes, stress, and attachmentThink about this concept in relationship to varyting sleep needsUnpack the safety concerns around bed-sharing and why guidance is so dividedOffer practical takeaways so parents can choose an approach that works—and feels ri...
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 asleep and staying asleepList the best earplugs made specifically for sleep—like BET SLUMBUR, Loop, Sw...
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 movementsExplore its surprising prevalence in both adults and children—and its strong ties to Restless Legs SyndromeReview leading theories of cause, from dopamine to iron to spinal generatorsHig...
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 highlighted a growing distrust in the medical and scientific communities. In this episode, we will: Expl...
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 abnormalExplore why most people wake up first and then feel the urge to urinateReveal how nocturia can be a surprising red flag for obstructive sleep apneaDistinguish between urinary problems that happen all day long versus...
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 placesShare 10 science-backed strategies to optimize any hotel room for sleepLearn how to manage temperature, light, and noise—even when you can’t control the buildingDiscover how bringing sma...
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 headacheExamine the role of sleep apnea in “morning headaches” and how CPAP therapy can make them disappearReview the latest research linking insomnia treatment to reduced headache burden — including new findings from a Seattle study on prazosin for post...
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 valueExplore data showing how infrequently temperature readings in well visits lead to meaningful outcomesIntroduce the idea of sleep as a more relevant and revealing “vital sign”Highli...
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 a chronic disorderExplore why insomnia is often a disorder of perception, where patients signific...
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