Video Index
Video and Interactives from:
Why Sleep Matters
Benefits of Sleep
Sleep Study and Memory (0:43)
Dr. Robert Stickgold describes studies that show the importance of sleep in memory consolidation after learning a new task.
Why Sleep Matters (6:13)
Sleep researchers are discovering how sleep is vital for learning and memory, and how lack of sleep impacts our health, safety, and longevity.
Sleep, Learning, and Memory (1:52)
Dr. Robert Stickgold discusses how sleep plays a role in memory, both before and after a new learning situation.
Consequences of Insufficient Sleep
Why Sleep Matters (6:13)
Sleep researchers are discovering how sleep is vital for learning and memory, and how lack of sleep impacts our health, safety, and longevity.
Drowsy Driving (0:42)
Dr. Charles Czeisler discusses the link between motor vehicle accidents and tired drivers.
Sleep and Health (0:36)
Dr. Orfeu Buxton describes how animal and human studies suggest that adequate sleep is crucial for a long and healthy life.
Sleep Deprivation and Cardiovascular Risk (0:31)
Dr. Janet Mullington discusses how studies suggest a link between sleep deprivation and increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Factors That Affect Performance (1:43)
Dr. Charles Czeisler describes four factors that affect alertness and performance.
Sleep and Judgment (1:06)
Dr. Robert Stickgold discusses a study that suggests a link between sleep loss and increased impairment in judgment.
Historical and Cultural Perspectives of Sleep
Sleep: A Historical Perspective
Sleep, or at least a daily period of rest, has likely been part of life since the beginning of evolutionary time. Trace the path of our approach to and understanding of sleep throughout human history with this interactive timeline.
The Science of Sleep
What is Sleep?
Brain Activity During REM Sleep (0:29)
Dr. Steven Shea describes the brain’s activity during REM sleep.
Sleep Lab
It has been more than 50 years since scientists first discovered that the brain is highly active during sleep. Since then, careful observations and technical innovations have helped us understand a great deal about what goes on when we sleep. We know many of the most common characteristics and patterns of sleep, as well as how diseases, medications, certain behaviors, and varied lifestyle choices influence when and how well we sleep.
Take a first-hand look at the sleep patterns of healthy sleepers of various ages and explore how shift work and certain sleep disorders affect the amount, pattern, and depth of sleep. To see what sleep looks like to researchers and sleep physicians, enter the Sleep Lab.
Sleep and Dreams (1:11)
Dr. Robert Stickgold describes the physiological underpinnings for why we might dream about the things we do.
Changes in the Body During Sleep (0:43)
Dr. Thomas Scammell describes the changes that the body goes through during a typical night of sleep.
Sleep Patterns Across the Night (0:46)
Dr. Thomas Scammell describes the cycles of REM and NREM sleep that occur throughout the night.
REM and NREM Sleep (1:21)
Dr. Thomas Scammell describes the different stages of sleep and their characteristics.
How is Sleep Regulated?
The Brain and Sleep (2:04)
Dr. Thomas Scammell discusses how structures and chemicals in the brain are responsible for producing both wakefulness and sleep.
Finding Your Sleep/Wake Rhythm
Take a tour of the systems that define sleep and wakefulness, and explore factors that disrupt their normal interaction.
The Forces that Control Sleep and Wakefulness
How do we stay awake throughout the day and sleep through the night? See the forces that make this happen.
The Biological Clock and Sleep Homeostat (1:25)
Dr. Charles Czeisler describes the interaction between the internal biological clock and the sleep homeostat.
Caffeine and Sleep (0:43)
Dr. Lawrence Epstein describes how caffeine works to promote alertness, but can also inhibit restful sleep.
Alcohol and Sleep (0:26)
Dr. Stephen Amira describes how alcohol consumption can lead to disrupted sleep.
Smoking and Sleep (0:56)
Dr. Lawrence Epstein describes how nicotine in cigarettes can prevent or disrupt sleep.
Variations in Sleep
Shift Work and Sleep Problems (1:14)
Dr. Charles Czeisler describes some of the sleep problems that are typical to shift workers.
Sleep Problems in Older Adults (1:17)
Dr. Jean Duffy describes some of the underlying causes of sleep problems in older adults.
Kirsten’s Story: Developing Sleep Routines in Children (4:49)
Balancing the demands of work and parenthood, Kirsten explores how developing sleep routines in her children can help ensure a lifetime of healthy sleep habits.
Matt’s Story: Rethinking School Start Times (4:12)
Because their body rhythms drift in a later direction, many teens struggle to wake up for school. Matt decides that it is time to address this problem at his school.
Sleep Changes in Children (1:05)
Dr. Richard Ferber describes the typical changes in sleep from early childhood through adolescence.
Sleep Strategies Later in Life (4:22)
Sleep problems are not inevitable as we age, though individuals need to pay attention to healthy sleep habits.
Larks, Owls, and Genetics (1:19)
Dr. Anne-Marie Chang describes how certain genes can affect whether an individual feels more alert and active in the morning or in the evening.
Finding Your Sleep/Wake Rhythm
Take a tour of the systems that define sleep and wakefulness, and explore factors that disrupt their normal interaction.
Jet Lag and How to Mitigate its Effects (1:11)
Dennis Dean describes how jet lag affects the body and suggests ways to minimize the negative effects.
The Social Challenges of Daytime Sleep (0:44)
Dennis Dean describes how social factors and family obligations make sleeping during the day difficult for those working at night.
Getting the Sleep You Need
Overcoming Factors that Intefere with Sleep
The Consultation (4:18)
Margaret meets with Dr. Stephen Amira, a behavioral sleep specialist, to identify the possible causes of her insomnia.
The Strategies (3:14)
Dr. Amira presents Margaret with a program of strategies designed to help her get better sleep.
The Results (2:10)
Margaret talks about the challenges and successes she has had after six weeks of implementing the behavioral sleep strategies.
Caffeine and Sleep (0:43)
Dr. Lawrence Epstein describes how caffeine works to promote alertness, but can also inhibit restful sleep.
Maintaining a Consistent Wake Time (1:13)
Dr. Stephen Amira describes the importance of waking up at the same time each day.
You and Your Biological Clock
Finding Your Sleep/Wake Rhythm
Take a tour of the systems that define sleep and wakefulness, and explore factors that disrupt their normal interaction.
When to Seek Treatment
Discussing Sleep With Your Doctor (0:42)
Dr. Larry Epstein describes the types of questions that doctors should be asking patients about their sleep.
Considering Medication vs. Behavioral Approaches (1:31)
Dr. Stephen Amira discusses how an individual might decide whether to choose sleep medication, a behavioral approach, or a combination of the two.
What to Expect from a Sleep Evaluation (1:39)
Dr. Lawrence Epstein discusses what to expect from a sleep evaluation and sleep study.
Did you Know
Shift Work and Ways to Improve Sleep (1:29)
Dr. Charles Czeisler suggests some healthy sleep strategies for night shift workers.
Maintaining a Consistent Wake Time (1:13)
Dr. Stephen Amira describes the importance of waking up at the same time each day.
Discovery of Sleep Inertia (1:06)
Dr. Charles Czeisler describes the discovery of the phenomenon of sleep inertia by the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s.
Sleep Study and Memory (0:43)
Dr. Robert Stickgold describes studies that show the importance of sleep in memory consolidation after learning a new task.
Ways to Ensure Good Sleep (0:55)
Dr. Lawrence Epstein describes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to ensure good sleep.
Over-the-Counter Sleep Medications (0:34)
Dr. Lawrence Epstein discusses over-the-counter sleep medications.
Other
Discovery of REM Sleep (0:55)
Dr. Robert Stickgold describes the discovery of rapid eye movement during sleep, a milestone in sleep research in the 1950s.
Invention of the Light Bulb (1:15)
Dennis Dean discusses how the light bulb has exposed the human system to light at times that would normally be dark, and the impact this has had on how long people sleep.