#48–Matt Walker, Ph.D., on Sleep (Part 2 of 3): Heart disease, cancer, causes of sleep disruption...

Ambien Effects

Peter Attia shares his experience with Ambien, revealing unsettling side effects like sending emails and making calls he couldn't remember. Matthew Walker explains that Ambien and similar drugs are sedative hypnotics, which induce unconsciousness rather than natural sleep. He emphasizes that these drugs can weaken neural connections, contrary to the strengthening effect of natural sleep 1 2.

Think of Ambien more as a chemical baseball bat to the head than something that's actually promoting restorative sleep.

--- Peter Attia

Walker highlights the alarming rise in prescriptions, especially among children, which could hinder brain development 2.

   

Alternative Solutions

Walker advocates for non-pharmacological solutions to sleep problems, such as behavioral changes and meditation. He suggests breaking the association between wakefulness and the bed by getting up after 20 minutes if unable to sleep and reading in dim light 3.

Meditation is a great way to drive a parasympathetic dominance of the nervous system, taking you out of the fight or flight state.

--- Matthew Walker

Walker also mentions the effectiveness of meditation apps like Headspace and Calm in improving sleep continuity and reducing the time it takes to fall asleep 4.