From the Bookshelf of Science and Inquiry…

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

Matthew Walker

Start date: November 1, 2018

Finish date: November 30, 2018

Discussion: Book Club 2018

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Book Club 2018

December 2018 - Atomic Bomb
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What Members Thought

Jun 30, 2019 Petra X rated it it was amazing

Shelves: medicine-science, 2019-100-reviews, 2019-read, reviewed

Something to ponder; every living thing on earth is subject to the circadian (24 hour) rhythm. It is understandable why animals and plants need to be awake in daylight hours. Less so for fish that for thousands of generations have lived in underground rivers and have over the millenia lost the ability to even sense light. Even less so for bacteria. But still, all of us have this endogenous clock keeping time within us, keeping time with the sun.

In the 1930s, a scientist, Nathaniel Kleitman and a ...more

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Oct 08, 2018 David Rubenstein rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biology, audiobook, medicine, health, psychology, evolution, science

This is such an excellent book, mainly because I had never thought very much about the need for a good night's rest. The first part of this book does not really address "why we sleep". Instead, the book describes "what happens if we do not get enough sleep." Not until about halfway through the book, does the question "why we sleep" really get answered.

The author, Matthew Walker, is a professor of neuroscience and psychology. I always prefer to read science-related books that are written by scien This is such an excellent book, mainly because I had never thought very much about the need for a good night's rest. The first part of this book does not really address "why we sleep". Instead, the book describes "what happens if we do not get enough sleep." Not until about halfway through the book, does the question "why we sleep" really get answered.

The author, Matthew Walker, is a professor of neuroscience and psychology. I always prefer to read science-related books that are written by scientists who are actively doing research in the field. They are the most authoritative, and they best understand all of the nuances involved in the interpretation of experimental results. As long as the science book is well written--and this book is definitely written in an engaging style--I always prefer to read a book written by an active researcher.

The author divides a night's sleep into two primary portions; the early portion is characterized mostly by NREM (non-REM) sleep, while the later portion is mostly REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movements). Both portions are essential. NREM sleep helps one to cement memories into permanent storage, while REM sleep helps one to apply past experiences to solve problems. If you skimp on either portion, then your brain has a very difficult time recuperating. The book describes, in just the right amount of detail, a host of experiments that have shown the deleterious consequences of insufficient sleep. And, I was really surprised by the range of consequences, and their seriousness. This book has thoroughly convinced me to make every effort to get a full night's sleep; at least 7 hours, and preferably 8 hours.

I am not going to try to recap the myriad consequences of insufficient sleep. Suffice it to say, they are truly scary. This is a fascinating book, and I highly recommend it to everyone who sleeps.

I didn't read this book; I listened to the audiobook version, as narrated by Steve West. He does a very good job keeping my interest throughout his narration. ...more

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Jun 18, 2019 bup rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science, 2019

If you don't get enough sleep you will be stupid and you will die!

And then he does a good job backing that up. He convinced me that getting seven to nine hours a night (or not) is a better predictor of overall health than exercise or diet. And lack of sleep makes you unable to learn anything. And will make you eventually hallucinate and paranoid and psychotic and eventually unable to even govern unconscious brain thingies like breathing correctly or regulating temperature. And that lack of sleep ...more

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Jul 12, 2024 Alyssa Tuininga rated it it was amazing

Shelves: have-audiobooks, science, nonfiction

4.5/5
Well-organized, well-written, and chock full of good information. Honestly, this book scared the hell out of me because I am not a good sleeper. Walker goes through all the consequences of not getting enough (7-9 hours) sleep every night. Truly it is a miracle any of us are still around and have managed to learn anything. This book has me looking hard at my sleep and what I can do to improve my health. Although it is full of information this book is highly readable and full of useful inform ...more

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Aug 04, 2018 Lance rated it it was amazing

I had to read this twice it was so packed of great information. So much of our being able to function fully is related to getting enough sleep and improving our sleep hygiene and habits.

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