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Ask HN: Most accurate scientific book on human sleep?

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Ask HN: Most accurate scientific book on human sleep?

#1

Post by gautamsomani »

I am someone who is suffering from sleep problems since many years. And I want to know more on this topic. I read, at few places online including HN, that the book "Why We Sleep" is not completely accurate. Can someone recommend an ever more accurate book? Or "Why We Sleep" is the most accurate, albeit flawed, book out there?

I am also open to any series of articles/podcast or any scientific author to follow over a long time to learn about human sleep. I understand that not everything may apply to me, but still, learning is a good thing.

Re: Ask HN: Most accurate scientific book on human sleep?

#3

Post by helph67 »

Not books but hints. I use and recommend magnesium just before bed. "Magnesium: The Most Powerful Relaxation Mineral Available" https://www.huffpost.com/entry/magnesium-the-most-powerf_b_4...

From 2017 "Israeli firm 2breathe has developed a smart sensor and complementary app to help those who have difficulty nodding off" https://geeknewscentral.com/?s=2breathe

Re: Ask HN: Most accurate scientific book on human sleep?

#6

Post by pedalpete »

Why We Sleep has some issues, but for a primer, it's a good intro.

I read that before I got into working in the neurotech/sleeptech space.

The Cambridge textbook The Neuroscience of Sleep and Dreams[1] I found surprisingly approachable. I've long had an interest in neuroscience, so it wasn't a completely new subject to me, but it wasn't a bad read.

I'm a life-long insomniac, you didn't go into the details of your sleep problems, and I initially read Why We Sleep because I was trying to understand sleep and fix my own problem. Unfortunately, I it's still all the same CBT-I stuff, sleep hygiene, etc etc.

We're not working in insomnia, I haven't found anything in the peer-reviewed literature which is convincing that anyone is near a solution in this space.

[1](https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/neuroscience-of-sleep-a...)

Re: Ask HN: Most accurate scientific book on human sleep?

#7

Post by vjulian »

pedalpete wrote: post #6

Why We Sleep has some issues, but for a primer, it's a good intro. I read that before I got into working in the neurotech/sleeptech space. The Cambridge textbook The Neuroscience of Sleep and Dreams[1] I found surprisingly approachable. I've long had an interest in neuroscience, so it wasn't a completely new subject to me, but it wasn't a bad read. I'm a life-long insomniac, you didn't go into the details of your sle…

My understanding is that scientific understanding of sleep is relatively limited and tenuous at that, compared to other medical topics. A professor at a sleep lab once joked to me that in fifty (or whenever) years, knowledgeable people will find today’s sleep science wrong. As such, I never seriously consider applying recommendations from “sleep science” to my personal life. (Though, to be fair, I’ve no problems sleeping.)

Is that an overly cynical perspective?

Re: Ask HN: Most accurate scientific book on human sleep?

#8

Post by sva_ »

pedalpete wrote: post #6

Why We Sleep has some issues, but for a primer, it's a good intro. I read that before I got into working in the neurotech/sleeptech space. The Cambridge textbook The Neuroscience of Sleep and Dreams[1] I found surprisingly approachable. I've long had an interest in neuroscience, so it wasn't a completely new subject to me, but it wasn't a bad read. I'm a life-long insomniac, you didn't go into the details of your sle…

Have you looked into how the light you get affects your sleep cycle? It's not a cure-all but definitely has a very strong effect on circadian rythm.

Re: Ask HN: Most accurate scientific book on human sleep?

#9

Post by ffhhj »

If I go to sleep before 11 pm, even if I'm sleepy, I'll have severe insomnia and won't be able to sleep until 3-5am the next day. But if I go to sleep at 12am, I'll automatically wake up at 6am perfectly rested. I say sleep science got it wrong at the minimum 8hr sleep to be healthy, just find your body's sleep schedule and follow it. As with water, only drink when thirsty and in rest, long before/after eating or exercising.

Re: Ask HN: Most accurate scientific book on human sleep?

#10

Post by alan-hn »

vjulian wrote: post #7
pedalpete wrote: post #6

Why We Sleep has some issues, but for a primer, it's a good intro. I read that before I got into working in the neurotech/sleeptech space. The Cambridge textbook The Neuroscience of Sleep and Dreams[1] I found surprisingly approachable. I've long had an interest in neuroscience, so it wasn't a completely new subject to me, but it wasn't a bad read. I'm a life-long insomniac, you didn't go into the details of your sle…

My understanding is that scientific understanding of sleep is relatively limited and tenuous at that, compared to other medical topics. A professor at a sleep lab once joked to me that in fifty (or whenever) years, knowledgeable people will find today’s sleep science wrong. As such, I never seriously consider applying recommendations from “sleep science” to my personal life. (Though, to be fair, I’ve no problems slee…

Understanding of sleep science is a rather different topic than applying known beneficial advice
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