About this episode
In their latest Ask Me Anything episode, Matt and Dr. Eti Ben Simon delve into the complex relationship between common substances and sleep. They first tackle cannabis, explaining that while THC may initially help with sleep onset, its chronic use is detrimental, leading to tolerance, withdrawal insomnia, and a powerful suppression of restorative REM sleep. The discussion then moves to two other major sleep disruptors: caffeine and alcohol. You'll learn how caffeine's long half-life can reduce deep sleep by up to 40% even when consumed in the afternoon, and how alcohol, despite its sedative properties, severely fragments sleep and decimates the quantity and quality of your nightly dream sleep. The conversation then explores more novel compounds and strategies, starting with a practical bio-hack, the "nappuccino," a precisely timed combination of coffee and a short nap to maximize alertness. From there, the hosts dive into the fascinating world of psychedelics, revealing how drugs like LSD and psilocybin act as potent wake-promoting agents that disrupt sleep before causing a significant "REM sleep rebound" on subsequent nights. They contrast this with ketamine, a dissociative that uniquely increases deep slow-wave sleep, potentially explaining its antidepressant effects. The episode concludes by looking at the intricate and largely unexplored role sleep plays in the therapeutic journey of these powerful psychoactive compounds. Please note that Matt is not a medical doctor, and none of the content in this podcast should be considered medical advice in any way, shape, or form, nor prescriptive in any way. Matt will be the first to tell you that launching his sleep-related merchandise sales was incredibly smooth, thanks to our new sponsor Shopify and their integrated sales and inventory system. And now, just for you, Shopify is generously offering an exclusive trial at shopify.com/mattwalker . Whether it's online or in-person sales, Shopify simplifies it all. So, be sure to stop in at shopify.com/mattwalker to start your exclusive journey now! Having personally used and purchased AG1 for over four years, Matt encourages you to try the new AG1 Next Gen formula with upgraded probiotics plus additional vitamins and minerals. Backed by 4 human clinical trials demonstrating a boost in healthy gut bacteria, AG1 continuously adapts to the latest science. Subscribe today and receive a FREE bottle of AG D3K2, an AG1 welcome kit, and 5 upgraded AG1 travel packs with your first order. Visit drinkag1.com/mattwalker to learn more and get started on your health journey. Tired of untrustworthy protein shakes? Show sponsor Puori prioritizes quality: hormone-free, GMO-free, and pesticide-free. Every batch is third-party tested for 200+ contaminants - you can even scan the QR code for lab results! Matt recommends the addictive dark chocolate flavor with 21g of protein. Ready to experience the Puori difference? Matt’s listeners get 20% off, so visit puori.com/mattwalker today! As always, if you have thoughts or feedback you’d like to share, please reach out to Matt or Eti: Matt: Instagram @drmattwalker , X @sleepdiplomat , YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sleepdiplomatmattwalker9299 Eti: X @etoosh , Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eti_bensimon/ , or email at etoosh@gmail.com