Sleep might be one of the most important parts of your health, yet millions of people treat it like it’s optional.

Dr. Nick is joined by Molly Davis, nurse practitioner at Rejuvenated Medical Spa and Maverick Men’s Health, to break down what actually happens to your body and brain when you don’t get enough quality sleep.

They dive into the different stages of sleep, why deep sleep and REM sleep matter so much, how much sleep adults actually need, and why staring at your phone right before bed may be working directly against your body’s natural sleep cycle.

Then things get even more interesting. Poor sleep doesn’t just make you tired. They discuss research connecting sleep deprivation with slower reaction times, impaired driving, memory problems, mood changes, poor decision-making, increased hunger, weight gain, higher cortisol, and cravings for calorie-dense foods.

They also break down some of the most common sleep aids, including melatonin, magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, trazodone, Benadryl, Ambien, benzodiazepines, valerian root, passionflower, and more, including why some popular options may not be ideal for long-term use.

Plus, they explain practical ways to improve your sleep without immediately reaching for a prescription, including better sleep hygiene, consistent bedtimes, limiting screens, meal and alcohol timing, morning exercise, light exposure, and creating a bedroom your brain actually associates with sleep.

If you’re exercising, eating well, taking supplements, and doing everything else “right” but still ignoring your sleep, you may be overlooking one of the biggest pieces of your health.

Websites:
RejuvenatedMedSpa.com
Maverick-MensHealth.com