Master Your Sleep Be More Alert When Awake

At a Glance

• Importance of considering sleep and wakefulness - “Think about your nutrition and then think about your activity and then think about whether or not you want a supplement.” This highlights the interconnectedness of overall health and the need to consider multiple factors when addressing sleep and wakefulness.

• Theanine’s potential effects on dreams - “Theanine can often make your dreams very vivid. Sleepwalkers should be careful about taking theanine.” This serves as a cautionary note for individuals who may be susceptible to sleepwalking or have vivid dreams, highlighting the need for personalized consideration when supplementing with Theanine.

• Apigenin’s estrogen-inhibiting properties - “Appigenin is a fairly potent estrogen inhibitor. So women who want to keep their estrogen levels high… should probably avoid Appigenin altogether.” This emphasizes the importance of considering individual hormonal needs and potential interactions with supplements like Apigenin.

• The need for medical consultation before supplementing - “You don’t want to completely eliminate your estrogen that it can create all sorts of bad effects on libido and cognition, etc. So, consult a board-certified MD or healthcare professional first.” This underscores the importance of consulting with a medical expert before starting any supplements.

What to Do

• Consider Your Nutrition Before Supplements - The speaker advises to think about your nutrition and activity level before considering supplements, as this can greatly impact the effectiveness and necessity of any additional support.

• Consult a Healthcare Professional First - It’s essential to consult with a board-certified MD or healthcare professional before taking any supplements or engaging in experimental activities, especially those related to sleep and neurological health.

• Be Cautious with Supplements, Especially for Sleepwalkers and Those with Vivid Dreams - The speaker cautions about the potential effects of certain supplements on sleepwalkers and individuals who experience vivid dreams, suggesting a need for careful consideration or avoiding them altogether if necessary.

• Estrogen Levels Should Be Balanced When Considering Supplements - To avoid adverse effects on libido and cognition, maintaining balanced estrogen levels is crucial when considering supplements like Apigenin, which can be a potent estrogen inhibitor.

• Explore Safety Margins Through Reputable Resources Like Examine.com - The speaker recommends utilizing reputable resources such as examine.com to find peer-reviewed studies and warnings related to any supplement or compound being considered.

• Don’t Rely Solely on This Podcast for Information; Engage in Personal Research and Ask Questions - It’s recommended not to solely rely on this podcast for information but to engage with the community by asking questions, sharing your own experiences, and exploring additional resources like examine.com.

What to Get

• Chamomile - Amazon - Ingredient for creating a sleep-inducing effect

• Apigenin - Amazon - Derivative of chamomile, used to augment or support creation of sleepiness (50 milligrams)

• L Theanine - Amazon - Supplement that can make dreams very vivid; caution advised for sleepwalkers and those who want to avoid very vivid dreams

Summary

The host of the Huberman Lab podcast continues to dive deep into the topic of sleep and wakefulness. In this episode, he shares some fascinating insights about how our brains work when we’re trying to fall asleep or stay awake. He emphasizes that getting better at sleeping is not just about taking supplements, but rather a holistic approach that involves considering one’s nutrition, activity levels, and overall health.

One of the supplements discussed in the episode is Apigenin, which is derived from chamomile. The host mentions that 50 milligrams of Apigenin can help support the creation of sleepiness and aid in falling asleep and staying asleep. However, he also warns listeners to be cautious when taking this supplement, especially if they’re prone to vivid dreams or are a sleepwalker.

The host also touches on the importance of estrogen levels for both men and women. He notes that Apigenin is a fairly potent estrogen inhibitor, which means it can lower estrogen levels in the body. This can have negative effects on libido and cognition, among other things. As such, he advises listeners to be mindful of this when considering taking Apigenin.

To help listeners navigate the world of supplements and sleep aids, the host recommends checking out the website Examine.com (examine.com). He notes that this website is a valuable resource for finding peer-reviewed studies on various compounds and supplements, including those related to sleep and wakefulness.

Finally, the host encourages listeners to ask questions about the episode’s topics and invites them to attend an upcoming “office hours” session where he’ll answer specific questions about episodes one and two. He also asks listeners to subscribe to the podcast on YouTube or other platforms, and to check out the sponsors mentioned at the beginning of each episode.