About this podcast

This episode of the Huberman Lab Guest Series features Dr. Matthew Walker, a renowned professor of neuroscience and psychology, delving into the critical relationship between sleep and our mental well-being. The discussion uncovers how sleep, particularly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, acts as an essential 'overnight therapy' by processing emotions and emotional memories, thereby helping us wake feeling emotionally restored. Listeners will learn why sleep deprivation can lead to agitation, impulsivity, and emotional reactivity, and its significant links to conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidality. The episode offers science-based protocols and actionable tools to improve REM sleep and other sleep phases, empowering individuals to harness the therapeutic power of quality sleep for a calmer, more emotionally resilient state. Whether you're struggling with mental health challenges or simply seeking to bolster your overall well-being, this discussion provides invaluable insights and practical strategies.