Peter Attia MD341 - Overcoming insomnia: improving sleep hygiene and treating disordered sleep with CBT-I
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- March 24, 2025
- Duration
- 2h 21m
- Channel
- Peter Attia MD
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Ashley Mason is a clinical psychologist and an associate professor at UCSF, where she leads the Sleep, Eating, and Affect (SEA) Laboratory. In this episode, Ashley provides a masterclass on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), detailing techniques like time in bed restriction, stimulus control, and cognitive restructuring to improve sleep. She explains how to manage racing thoughts and anxiety, optimize sleep environments, and use practical tools like sleep diaries to track progress. She also offers detailed guidance on sleep hygiene; explores the impact of temperature regulation, blue light exposure, and bedtime routines; and offers guidance on finding a CBT-I therapist, along with sharing practical steps you can take on your own before seeking professional help. View show notes here: https://bit.ly/4bTivQs Become a member to receive exclusive content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ We discuss: 0:00:00 - Intro 0:01:35 - Defining insomnia: diagnosis, prevalence, and misconceptions 0:07:15 - How insomnia develops, and breaking the cycle with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) 0:11:39 - The different types of insomnia, and the impact of anxiety, hydration, temperature, and more on sleep 0:21:16 - The core principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and how CBT-I is used to treat insomnia 0:32:37 - Implementing CBT-I: time in bed restriction, sleep scheduling, and the effect of napping 0:43:52 - Navigating family and partner sleep schedules, falling asleep on the couch, sleep chronotypes, and more [39:45]; 0:49:49 - Key aspects of sleep hygiene: temperature, light exposure, and circadian rhythm disruptions 0:58:55 - Blue light and mental stimulation before bed, and the utility of A-B testing sleep habits 1:04:30 - Other simple interventions that may improve sleep 1:10:20 - Ashley’s view on relaxation techniques and mindfulness-based practices 1:12:57 - The effectiveness of CBT-I, the role of sleep trackers, and best practices for managing nighttime awakenings 1:26:27 - Guidance on intake of food and alcohol for good sleep 1:32:29 - Reframing thoughts and nighttime anxiety to reduce sleep disruptions 1:37:37 - Ashley’s take on sleep supplements like melatonin 1:51:45 - How to safely taper off sleep medications like benzos and Ambien 1:51:46 - Sleep problems that need to be addressed before CBT-I can be implemented 1:53:45 - The importance of prioritizing a consistent wake-up time over a fixed bedtime for better sleep regulation 1:59:23 - Process S and Process C: the science of sleep pressure and circadian rhythms 2:02:07 - How exercise too close to bedtime may impact sleep 2:05:21 - The structure and variability of CBT-I, Ashley’s approach, and tips for finding a therapist 2:11:58 - The effect of sauna and cold plunge before bed on sleep quality 2:14:32 - Key takeaways on CBT-I, and why no one should have to suffer from insomnia -------- About: The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, and all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 90 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more. Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan. Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com Connect with Peter on: Facebook: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDTW Instagram: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDIG Subscribe to The Drive: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveApplePodcasts Overcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveOvercast Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheDriveSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheDriveGoogle Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they have, and they should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. I take conflicts of interest very seriously. For all of my disclosures and the companies I invest in or advise, please visit my website where I keep an up-to-date and active list of such companies. For a full list of our registered and unregistered trademarks, trade names, and service marks, please review our Terms of Use: https://peterattiamd.com/terms-of-use/
SPEAKERS
Peter Attia
hostPhysician and host of The Drive Podcast, focused on longevity and health optimization.
Ashley Mason
guestClinical psychologist (PhD) specializing in insomnia and CBT-I research and treatment.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Peter Attia MD, featuring Peter Attia and Ashley Mason, 341 - Overcoming insomnia: improving sleep hygiene and treating disordered sleep with CBT-I explores ashley Mason Explains How CBT-I Treats Insomnia Without Medication Mason describes insomnia as a clinical diagnosis affecting roughly 5 to 10 percent of adults at any moment, usually episodic, and perpetuated by coping behaviors rather than the original trigger.
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