Brave New World

The science of sleep with Professor Russel Foster

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Episode notes

Is there such a thing as perfect sleep? Leading expert in circadian neuroscience from Oxford University, Professor Russel Foster, joins host Evgeny Lebedev, to explain the science behind nighttime slumber and why it's crucial to living our best lives awake. 

The pair discuss everything from sleep hygiene, our circadian rhythm and body clocks, the impact of technology before bed and whether it actually affects us, the myths, and even some tips to improve longevity. This episode also includes excerpts from Eight Sleep founder Matteo Franceschetti, the pop star Rita Ora, and the author and actress Davinia Taylor.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Is sleep an indulgence?
• How a bad culture of sleep was heightened in the 1980s
• Can poor sleep link to dementia?
• The different types of sleep: Deep and Rem
• The science of our dreams
• Understanding how circadian rhythms work and how they relate to our genetic makeup
• The perfect recipe for a nap
• Sleeping pills and memory loss
• Are sleep apps worth the hype?
• The critical role of body temperature
• Sleep myths: Cheese and dreams, sipping Horlicks and counting sheep
• Rita Ora’s sleep routine

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