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睡眠腦科學: 從腦科學探討猝睡症、睡眠呼吸中止症、失眠、夢魘等各種睡眠障礙
全世界將近一半的人一生中都會遭遇睡眠問題，你也是其中之一嗎？
一天該睡幾小時才正常？生理時鐘如何調控身體正常運作？
笑到不支倒地竟然是睡眠障礙惹的禍？睡覺打鼾有可能危及性命？
「鬼壓床」是幽靈作祟還是睡眠出狀況？怎樣才能不失眠一覺到天亮？
一位患有「猝睡症」的科學記者從自身的經歷出發，追索種種睡眠障礙的起因，
耗費近六年時間，專訪全球數十位頂尖醫師、科學家與臨床醫學人員，
以及和深受睡眠失調所苦的人士進行數百次訪談，
引述實際發生過的案例與故事、採取幽默風趣的筆法，
介紹科學界對睡眠障礙病症最新的研究與見解。
亨利‧尼可斯在二十一歲時被診斷出患有猝睡症，一種會讓他無預警睡著的疾病。大多數身體健康但工作量過大的人，或許巴不得自己罹患這種病，可是對亨利而言，無法保持清醒的狀態嚴重損害他的行為能力，尤其是莫名其妙昏倒、晚上睡不好、幻覺與睡眠麻痺等症狀伴隨出現的時候。
身為科學記者與生物學家的亨利‧尼可斯決心探究睡眠障礙的科學，發現有近半數的人在一生中都會經歷某種睡眠失調的情況。從針對失眠的認知行為治療到一群患有嗜睡症的杜賓犬，這段旅程帶他走過晦暗不明的睡眠世界，讓他徹底領悟自己的人生與健康。
《睡眠腦科學》以詼諧幽默且富含智慧的文筆，透過個人的反思、與睡眠障礙者及相關研究學者的訪談、醫學史的趣聞及藝文界的洞察，改變我們理解睡眠的方式。
一天該睡幾小時才正常？生理時鐘如何調控身體正常運作？
笑到不支倒地竟然是睡眠障礙惹的禍？睡覺打鼾有可能危及性命？
「鬼壓床」是幽靈作祟還是睡眠出狀況？怎樣才能不失眠一覺到天亮？
一位患有「猝睡症」的科學記者從自身的經歷出發，追索種種睡眠障礙的起因，
耗費近六年時間，專訪全球數十位頂尖醫師、科學家與臨床醫學人員，
以及和深受睡眠失調所苦的人士進行數百次訪談，
引述實際發生過的案例與故事、採取幽默風趣的筆法，
介紹科學界對睡眠障礙病症最新的研究與見解。
亨利‧尼可斯在二十一歲時被診斷出患有猝睡症，一種會讓他無預警睡著的疾病。大多數身體健康但工作量過大的人，或許巴不得自己罹患這種病，可是對亨利而言，無法保持清醒的狀態嚴重損害他的行為能力，尤其是莫名其妙昏倒、晚上睡不好、幻覺與睡眠麻痺等症狀伴隨出現的時候。
身為科學記者與生物學家的亨利‧尼可斯決心探究睡眠障礙的科學，發現有近半數的人在一生中都會經歷某種睡眠失調的情況。從針對失眠的認知行為治療到一群患有嗜睡症的杜賓犬，這段旅程帶他走過晦暗不明的睡眠世界，讓他徹底領悟自己的人生與健康。
《睡眠腦科學》以詼諧幽默且富含智慧的文筆，透過個人的反思、與睡眠障礙者及相關研究學者的訪談、醫學史的趣聞及藝文界的洞察，改變我們理解睡眠的方式。
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2018
63 people are currently reading
915 people want to read
About the author
Henry Nicholls
10 books12 followersHenry is a journalist, author and broadcaster, specialising in evolutionary biology, conservation and history of science. His first book Lonesome George: The Life and Loves of a Conservation Icon was about the Galapagos Archipelago and global conservation.
He is also the author of The Way of the Panda: The Curious History of China's Political Animal, which charts the intertwined fortunes of giant pandas and China over the last 140 years. His third book, released in early 2014, is The Galapagos: A Natural History.
He is also the author of The Way of the Panda: The Curious History of China's Political Animal, which charts the intertwined fortunes of giant pandas and China over the last 140 years. His third book, released in early 2014, is The Galapagos: A Natural History.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 26, 2018
For my first meeting with something written by Nicholls, I was very impressed. The author is a science journalist who has talked a lot about animals and their preservation. Here he does the Andrew Solomon thing, where he takes a topic which affects him directly, depression and anxiety in Solomon’s case, and attempts to give a general outline of the current understanding of this condition.
The book traces the history of the condition and its diagnosis, where medicine and science in general have come in understanding its physiological causes, and the psychological and social implications of the affliction over the people who suffer from it and those around them. In the case of Nicholls, the topic is a sleep disorder called narcolepsy, which generally means that he inadvertently falls asleep at anytime, even when strong external stimuli are present.
An interesting thing about a sleep disorder is the fact that it is never clear-cut. It is always linked to a lot of other conditions of which one must be aware. The author talks about people’s sleeping habits, both presently and historically (apparently before the ubiquity of electrical lighting people had two distinct periods of sleep during the night); about the advent of sleep research and the awareness over sleep disorders in the medical profession (quite low) and the world at large (a lot lower); about the race to discover what brain chemistry is responsible for the condition (exciting, at least, and with a few twists along the way); about a lot of sleep disorders which can appear together and are connected by the way our sleeping mechanism tries to compensate for some of the deficiencies which may appear in the systems involved (the roots of such deficiencies may be genetic, behavioural, post-traumatic, chronic and other ways, including, for a small number of cases, a certain flu vaccine); punctuated by lots of details about the persons involved (both scientists, medics, psychologists and fellow patients), many of which he interviewed personally.
The book is a non-scientist’s journey to discover and understand how something works in order to accept it. In fact, Nicholls acknowledges this spiritual journey, and the profound importance of such an exploration, in order to accept himself, to come to terms with his own existence in this world. It is a thoroughly and painstakingly researched volume, one which puts equal emphasis on the hard facts and on the human side, the path to understanding and coping with the condition.
Thank you #Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC of #Sleepyhead.
The book traces the history of the condition and its diagnosis, where medicine and science in general have come in understanding its physiological causes, and the psychological and social implications of the affliction over the people who suffer from it and those around them. In the case of Nicholls, the topic is a sleep disorder called narcolepsy, which generally means that he inadvertently falls asleep at anytime, even when strong external stimuli are present.
An interesting thing about a sleep disorder is the fact that it is never clear-cut. It is always linked to a lot of other conditions of which one must be aware. The author talks about people’s sleeping habits, both presently and historically (apparently before the ubiquity of electrical lighting people had two distinct periods of sleep during the night); about the advent of sleep research and the awareness over sleep disorders in the medical profession (quite low) and the world at large (a lot lower); about the race to discover what brain chemistry is responsible for the condition (exciting, at least, and with a few twists along the way); about a lot of sleep disorders which can appear together and are connected by the way our sleeping mechanism tries to compensate for some of the deficiencies which may appear in the systems involved (the roots of such deficiencies may be genetic, behavioural, post-traumatic, chronic and other ways, including, for a small number of cases, a certain flu vaccine); punctuated by lots of details about the persons involved (both scientists, medics, psychologists and fellow patients), many of which he interviewed personally.
The book is a non-scientist’s journey to discover and understand how something works in order to accept it. In fact, Nicholls acknowledges this spiritual journey, and the profound importance of such an exploration, in order to accept himself, to come to terms with his own existence in this world. It is a thoroughly and painstakingly researched volume, one which puts equal emphasis on the hard facts and on the human side, the path to understanding and coping with the condition.
Thank you #Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC of #Sleepyhead.
August 27, 2018
The Science of Sleep. As told by a narcoleptic journalist. This was actually a fascinating book about the hard science of sleep - all the way to the gene and chromosome level of certain sleep disorders. Other than the first chapter and last chapter, the traditional setup and summary, the remaining 10 chapters cover the hard science of sleep - everything from how light plays a large part in our circadian rhythm cycles to exactly how the current thinking on most sleep disorders was discovered by studying dogs. The *one* caution here is that if you come in looking for a quick pointer or two on how to sleep better... well, you'll get that. But you'll get the hard science explanation of *why* it is, rather than a short and sweet "do this, just do it". Excellent book, very thoroughly researched - the last 24% or so is bibliography and index!
June 19, 2018
If you know someone with narcolepsy, or your only ideas about this disorder come from horribly inaccurate portrayals in fiction (looking at you, Rat Race), you need to read this.
This is a fantastic, in-depth discussion of what it's really like to experience narcolepsy, as well as other related sleep problems. Whereas other books I've read on sleep medicine simply brush over narcolepsy as a footnote, it's refreshing to have this dealt with in much more detail, and by an author who knows first-hand what it's like.
The organization is very logical and coherent, basically going through each symptom of the disorder and relating it to other non-narcolepsy topics as applicable. It goes into enough detail to communicate the concepts well but without going overboard and feeling like the author is padding the length of the book.
I especially appreciated the emphasis on how difficult it is to get doctors to properly diagnose this issue and take patients seriously. I've gone through (and am still going through again, with my new doctor) the struggle he describes in trying to get a PCP to even pay attention to your symptoms rather than brushing it off as depression or "you're fat, obviously you just have apnea and nothing else".
It's incredibly frustrating for me now that I've had one doctor in the past decide, "Let's stop wasting money on diagnostics that keep coming back inconclusive since you have enough trouble sleeping, let alone in a sleep clinic setting, and instead just assume the diagnosis and start treatment...if it works, then we know we're probably right." The medication he prescribed (modafinil) is a miracle drug, but now no other doctor will prescribe it to me unless I spend thousands on repeat sleep studies (that will probably, again, come back inconclusive).
In light of this, it's refreshing to see someone else publicizing in a positive way what I would consider a prime candidate to be the poster child for "invisible illnesses". Not only is it invisible to begin with, but it's a problem that, culturally, we are programmed to dismiss; we're ALL tired, what makes you so special? Thanks again to how it's typically portrayed in the media, it's assumed that if you're not falling asleep standing up in the middle of the room, it's just your own fault for staying up late and need to just push through like everyone else.
No one who doesn't have this disorder ever truly understands the constant weight pressing down on your brain and the irresistable urge to nap, or waking up every single morning and your first thought is always of how soon you can get back into bed. They don't understand the sheer terror of constant episodes of sleep paralysis and being stalked and attacked by hypnagogic demons.
But this author gets it, and I'm grateful that he has shared his experiences and research in this book.
Side note: I've now ordered a didgeridoo thanks to this book.
This is a fantastic, in-depth discussion of what it's really like to experience narcolepsy, as well as other related sleep problems. Whereas other books I've read on sleep medicine simply brush over narcolepsy as a footnote, it's refreshing to have this dealt with in much more detail, and by an author who knows first-hand what it's like.
The organization is very logical and coherent, basically going through each symptom of the disorder and relating it to other non-narcolepsy topics as applicable. It goes into enough detail to communicate the concepts well but without going overboard and feeling like the author is padding the length of the book.
I especially appreciated the emphasis on how difficult it is to get doctors to properly diagnose this issue and take patients seriously. I've gone through (and am still going through again, with my new doctor) the struggle he describes in trying to get a PCP to even pay attention to your symptoms rather than brushing it off as depression or "you're fat, obviously you just have apnea and nothing else".
It's incredibly frustrating for me now that I've had one doctor in the past decide, "Let's stop wasting money on diagnostics that keep coming back inconclusive since you have enough trouble sleeping, let alone in a sleep clinic setting, and instead just assume the diagnosis and start treatment...if it works, then we know we're probably right." The medication he prescribed (modafinil) is a miracle drug, but now no other doctor will prescribe it to me unless I spend thousands on repeat sleep studies (that will probably, again, come back inconclusive).
In light of this, it's refreshing to see someone else publicizing in a positive way what I would consider a prime candidate to be the poster child for "invisible illnesses". Not only is it invisible to begin with, but it's a problem that, culturally, we are programmed to dismiss; we're ALL tired, what makes you so special? Thanks again to how it's typically portrayed in the media, it's assumed that if you're not falling asleep standing up in the middle of the room, it's just your own fault for staying up late and need to just push through like everyone else.
No one who doesn't have this disorder ever truly understands the constant weight pressing down on your brain and the irresistable urge to nap, or waking up every single morning and your first thought is always of how soon you can get back into bed. They don't understand the sheer terror of constant episodes of sleep paralysis and being stalked and attacked by hypnagogic demons.
But this author gets it, and I'm grateful that he has shared his experiences and research in this book.
Side note: I've now ordered a didgeridoo thanks to this book.
July 3, 2019
SLEEPYHEAD’s author Henry Nicholls is a science writer and a narcoleptic, so he knows whereof he sleeps! 😀 For his sleep syndrome causes him to fall asleep anywhere at anytime. Nicholls uses his experience as backdrop to explore the neuroscience of disordered sleep, which is a gripping trip. He introduces us to the realms of insomnia (I’ve lived in that chronically tired state), sleep apnea (sufferers nearly suffocate as they stop breathing during sleep), and his own kingdom of chronic narcolepsy, among other forms of sleephead-hood. We learn why some of us love mornings and others hate them, how sleep habits change through aging, the when of REM sleep stages, and the importance of dreaming. I highly recommend this absorbing account to all sleep-deprived readers ... which if my circle of friends is any indication, is most of us! 5/5
Pub Date 04 Sep 2018
Thanks to Perseus Books, Basic Books and NetGalley for the review copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.
#Sleepyhead #NetGalley
Pub Date 04 Sep 2018
Thanks to Perseus Books, Basic Books and NetGalley for the review copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.
#Sleepyhead #NetGalley
July 23, 2018
NOTE: I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion of the book.
Sleepyhead is a well-written, interesting and informative book about sleep, focusing specifically on Narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. The author relates his own experiences with narcolepsy, as well as interviewing a variety of sleep-disorder sufferers, neurologists and other specialists. The book is relatively accessible without insulting the intelligence of readers. I would recommend this book to anyone who suffers from narcolepsy or knows someone with sleep-disorders.
Sleepyhead is a well-written, interesting and informative book about sleep, focusing specifically on Narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. The author relates his own experiences with narcolepsy, as well as interviewing a variety of sleep-disorder sufferers, neurologists and other specialists. The book is relatively accessible without insulting the intelligence of readers. I would recommend this book to anyone who suffers from narcolepsy or knows someone with sleep-disorders.
October 8, 2018
[I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.]
There’s a wealth of information in this book, sometimes in the text, and sometimes through the references it offers—I’ve picked in those a couple of books I’ll need to read at some point.
“Sleepyhead” is probably more interesting if one is already suffering from sleep-related troubles, maybe not as bad as narcolepsy, but even temporary troubles, such as acute insomnia caused by stress. It goes through a certain amount of factors that trigger narcolepsy and other “X-somnias”, providing details about how misdiagnosed those used to be historically, and helping understand what they entail. For instance, I always thought that narcolepsy was about people falling asleep at any time of the day, but it had never occurred to me that their sleep at night was highly disturbed, and not the peaceful slumber one would imagine from that very basic description. I’m glad I know more about it now.
The book was also interesting for its insights about sleep in general, though the focus remains on the dysfunctional parts: it seems that over the centuries, lots of superstitions (like “incubi”) were in fact descriptions of parasomnia-induced symptoms, such as night terrors. I also didn’t know about the two-time sleep people seemed to have had before artificial lights: sleeping early for a few hours, then being awake for 1-2 hours in the dead of night, then sleeping again for a few more hours.
While note a bona fide scientific book, “Sleepyhead” is useful no matter what: for the journey it describes (Henry Nicholls went to meet and interview many people while researching), and for the information it provides. It could be beneficial for people who suffer from such troubles, sleep apnea for instance, if only to alert them in a “hey, that sounds exactly what -I- am going through!” way.
There’s a wealth of information in this book, sometimes in the text, and sometimes through the references it offers—I’ve picked in those a couple of books I’ll need to read at some point.
“Sleepyhead” is probably more interesting if one is already suffering from sleep-related troubles, maybe not as bad as narcolepsy, but even temporary troubles, such as acute insomnia caused by stress. It goes through a certain amount of factors that trigger narcolepsy and other “X-somnias”, providing details about how misdiagnosed those used to be historically, and helping understand what they entail. For instance, I always thought that narcolepsy was about people falling asleep at any time of the day, but it had never occurred to me that their sleep at night was highly disturbed, and not the peaceful slumber one would imagine from that very basic description. I’m glad I know more about it now.
The book was also interesting for its insights about sleep in general, though the focus remains on the dysfunctional parts: it seems that over the centuries, lots of superstitions (like “incubi”) were in fact descriptions of parasomnia-induced symptoms, such as night terrors. I also didn’t know about the two-time sleep people seemed to have had before artificial lights: sleeping early for a few hours, then being awake for 1-2 hours in the dead of night, then sleeping again for a few more hours.
While note a bona fide scientific book, “Sleepyhead” is useful no matter what: for the journey it describes (Henry Nicholls went to meet and interview many people while researching), and for the information it provides. It could be beneficial for people who suffer from such troubles, sleep apnea for instance, if only to alert them in a “hey, that sounds exactly what -I- am going through!” way.
August 30, 2018
Sleepyhead is a great resource for those that either have trouble falling asleep or staying awake.
The author suffers from narcolepsy and frequently falls asleep at inappropriate times. He relates his own story and states that the average time before narcolepsy diagnosis is 15 years. However, Sleepyhead goes further than just narcolepsy. It also contains the possible reasons for other sleep disorders like SCN or the molecular circuit that controls when your body wants to sleep and rise. Many people do not have a 24-hour cycle meaning that they go to sleep and rise at variable times each day. Even moving your bedtime by 15 minutes per day either earlier or later makes a large difference over the course of a year. The book also discusses seasonal effective disorder and insomnia as well as the impact of daylight savings time on a body’s sleep cycle.
The best part of the book for me was the author’s note at the end that tells readers how to find more information about their particular sleep issue. In addition, Sleepyhead has comprehensive end notes referencing all the sources of the information in the book. The end notes make up 20% of the book. Sleepyhead is a great resource for the sleep-challenged among us. 4 stars!
Thanks to Perseus Books and NetGalley for an advance copy.
The author suffers from narcolepsy and frequently falls asleep at inappropriate times. He relates his own story and states that the average time before narcolepsy diagnosis is 15 years. However, Sleepyhead goes further than just narcolepsy. It also contains the possible reasons for other sleep disorders like SCN or the molecular circuit that controls when your body wants to sleep and rise. Many people do not have a 24-hour cycle meaning that they go to sleep and rise at variable times each day. Even moving your bedtime by 15 minutes per day either earlier or later makes a large difference over the course of a year. The book also discusses seasonal effective disorder and insomnia as well as the impact of daylight savings time on a body’s sleep cycle.
The best part of the book for me was the author’s note at the end that tells readers how to find more information about their particular sleep issue. In addition, Sleepyhead has comprehensive end notes referencing all the sources of the information in the book. The end notes make up 20% of the book. Sleepyhead is a great resource for the sleep-challenged among us. 4 stars!
Thanks to Perseus Books and NetGalley for an advance copy.
October 11, 2018
As someone who has a complicated relationship with sleep, I picked this book up out of curiosity to see if I could learn a thing or two. I learnt many, many things!
This book is a great mixture of science and entertainment to keep your attention. The science covers the root cause of various sleep disorders, treatments, possible causes and genetics while the entertaining side is a huge number of anecdotes from sleep disorder sufferers that the author has interviewed - this puts everything into context, knowing how real people feel about and manage their sleep disorders.
The book covers a variety of different sleep disorders; narcolepsy, insomnia, sleepwalking, apnea etc.
Each chapter is fascinating and full of very quotable fun facts, though some of the sciencey bits can get quite heavy (neurochemistry, anybody?). The author does combat this very well to make the book more accessible with his humorous narration style.
You can tell how much work and research went into bringing this book together, the fact that the author has narcolepsy puts a personal spin on things which makes it easier to sink in to.
*Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book*
This book is a great mixture of science and entertainment to keep your attention. The science covers the root cause of various sleep disorders, treatments, possible causes and genetics while the entertaining side is a huge number of anecdotes from sleep disorder sufferers that the author has interviewed - this puts everything into context, knowing how real people feel about and manage their sleep disorders.
The book covers a variety of different sleep disorders; narcolepsy, insomnia, sleepwalking, apnea etc.
Each chapter is fascinating and full of very quotable fun facts, though some of the sciencey bits can get quite heavy (neurochemistry, anybody?). The author does combat this very well to make the book more accessible with his humorous narration style.
You can tell how much work and research went into bringing this book together, the fact that the author has narcolepsy puts a personal spin on things which makes it easier to sink in to.
*Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book*
July 9, 2018
Thank You Net Galley for the free ARC.
A book about sleep and what makes it good or bad. I loved the sections on color and timing of light, reminded me of flowering responses in plants. I sleep like the proverbial rock, so it is amazing to see how many different struggles and disorders there are and how much they impact a person's life. I had never heard of cataplexy and found the book very interesting.
A book about sleep and what makes it good or bad. I loved the sections on color and timing of light, reminded me of flowering responses in plants. I sleep like the proverbial rock, so it is amazing to see how many different struggles and disorders there are and how much they impact a person's life. I had never heard of cataplexy and found the book very interesting.
November 29, 2020
I think where this book stands out for me and others with narcolepsy is the innumerable testimony of patients diagnosed throughout their lifetimes, from childhood to adulthood, and the unanimity of how traumatizing/exhausting/shamed/misunderstood their disordered wake-sleep states were. Most significantly, this includes the author, who actually has narcolepsy with cataplexy. Some patients turned down full university scholarships because they couldn’t bear to continue working under the accumulated stress and unrelenting shame piled on by judgmental peers and coworkers. Many navigated their later years only by avoiding AM obligations entirely and giving up on traditional careers. Others shared suicidal ideation and attempted to kill themselves.
I would hope that non-sleep disordered readers who read Nicholls’ accounts walk away with empathy for the disabling magnitude of this condition, but better authors have achieved less from their audiences and it continues to scare me how willfully dismissive so many professionals have been of my struggles. I am more thankful than ever for having seen my first doctor of color, the only healthcare provider or neurologist who immediately brought up narcolepsy and dismissed all the depression memos that white doc after white man insisted upon me — a common experience for so many female narcolepsy patients especially. I’m either lucky or unlucky for having lived with my symptoms at least 5-7 years before diagnosis, depending on whom you compare me against.
Where this book succeeds for the public is thanks to Nicholls already operating as a published science journalist, so he tackles a broad range of sleep and sleep-related disorders (insomnia, apnea, restless legs syndrome, etc) in simple scientific language (without dumbing things down) that makes the neurology of sleep accessible to all his readers. I took a Biological Clocks course that explored circadian rhythms and covered all the “hard science” Nicholls writes on, so if you have a background in biology or neurochemistry this is just a fun refresher elective with much better narrative drive.
All in all a good read, but especially so if you have narcolepsy/another sleep disorder or care for someone with one.
I would hope that non-sleep disordered readers who read Nicholls’ accounts walk away with empathy for the disabling magnitude of this condition, but better authors have achieved less from their audiences and it continues to scare me how willfully dismissive so many professionals have been of my struggles. I am more thankful than ever for having seen my first doctor of color, the only healthcare provider or neurologist who immediately brought up narcolepsy and dismissed all the depression memos that white doc after white man insisted upon me — a common experience for so many female narcolepsy patients especially. I’m either lucky or unlucky for having lived with my symptoms at least 5-7 years before diagnosis, depending on whom you compare me against.
Where this book succeeds for the public is thanks to Nicholls already operating as a published science journalist, so he tackles a broad range of sleep and sleep-related disorders (insomnia, apnea, restless legs syndrome, etc) in simple scientific language (without dumbing things down) that makes the neurology of sleep accessible to all his readers. I took a Biological Clocks course that explored circadian rhythms and covered all the “hard science” Nicholls writes on, so if you have a background in biology or neurochemistry this is just a fun refresher elective with much better narrative drive.
All in all a good read, but especially so if you have narcolepsy/another sleep disorder or care for someone with one.
July 20, 2021
I highly recommend this book for everyone, especially for the sleep deprived. This is a very interesting broad look at the evolutionary basis for sleep, the effects of sunlight and the day, night patterns and seasonal patterns on our circadian time system. The suprachiasmic nucleus of the hypothalamus is our time keeper (ziitgebers). Before electricity, people had a biphasic sleep pattern with a "first' sleep and a waking period, followed by a second sleep. Latitude, and environment played a role in this pattern. Age also has an effect as an example: teenagers experience a shift in sleep due to a delay in melatonin release.
Most of the book is about sleep disorders like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and cataplexy. There is a genetic basis for ASPD (advanced sleep phase disorder) and DSPD (delayed sleep disorder). REM sleep is explained and also many theories, historical and recent ones. Recently it was discovered that brain peptides called "Hypocretins" form a system that if obstructed accounts for narcolepsy and cataplexy. Bad breathing where oxygen is low, causes blood vessels to constrict and back up. Anaesthetists use the 'Stop - Bang" questionnaire screen for eratic breathing. Also damage to the brain is a factor, from accidents, falls, tumors, cysts and assaults. Thing you can do to improve sleep disorders. Pay attention to sunlight and breathing, develop a strict sleeping routine, get throat exercises, sleep on your side, no to cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine, and seek help. A really helpful book !! Read it !!
Most of the book is about sleep disorders like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and cataplexy. There is a genetic basis for ASPD (advanced sleep phase disorder) and DSPD (delayed sleep disorder). REM sleep is explained and also many theories, historical and recent ones. Recently it was discovered that brain peptides called "Hypocretins" form a system that if obstructed accounts for narcolepsy and cataplexy. Bad breathing where oxygen is low, causes blood vessels to constrict and back up. Anaesthetists use the 'Stop - Bang" questionnaire screen for eratic breathing. Also damage to the brain is a factor, from accidents, falls, tumors, cysts and assaults. Thing you can do to improve sleep disorders. Pay attention to sunlight and breathing, develop a strict sleeping routine, get throat exercises, sleep on your side, no to cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine, and seek help. A really helpful book !! Read it !!
December 3, 2025
That was really interesting. A good mix of anecdotal and scientific reasoning. Would recommend to anyone interested
April 14, 2019
Uno dei libri più interessanti letti ultimamente.
Getta uno sguardo su malattie legate al sonno che molto spesso sembrano banali. Testo godibile che mescola dettagli tecnici e medici, mai troppo pesanti o specifici, con una narrazione di interviste ed episodi concreti. Un bel l’acquisto e un’ottima lettura.
Getta uno sguardo su malattie legate al sonno che molto spesso sembrano banali. Testo godibile che mescola dettagli tecnici e medici, mai troppo pesanti o specifici, con una narrazione di interviste ed episodi concreti. Un bel l’acquisto e un’ottima lettura.
October 16, 2019
This book is really appropriate if you want to know more about sleep. As a person with a Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), who can go to sleep at 6AM, and also affected by insomnia, hypnagogia and, sometimes, sleep paralyzes (the last two are part of the narcoleptic tetrad, but fortunately I'm not narcoleptic), bruxism, REM disorders (my body can fall asleep while my brain is still awaken and get directly into REM phase and also experience a lot of lucid dreams), I've found this book really interesting. It's true that I knew most of the things that appeared in this book, because as a psychologist, it's important to know about all kind of disorders; but I would really recommend it. There are interesting exemples of these disorders and the author has also had narcolepsy during all his life and he's a science journalist , so he knows what is he talking about.
May 27, 2019
Despite what the title says (my copy, at least, is subtitled "the neuroscience of a good night's rest"), this is mostly a book about narcolepsy, and, to a lesser extent, other sleep disorders. I read out of curiosity about the nature of sleep, and also in the hopes of finding some representation of my own sleep troubles, and while my hopes in that regard were not really fulfilled, I nevertheless found this to be an engaging and informative exploration of how sleep works, the history of its study, and (comprising the bulk of the book) the many ways that it can go wrong. I can't remember the last time I read a science book that had such a strong narrative drive (at least for the first half of the book). The story of Nicholls' own experience with narcolepsy creates the narrative arc, which is then filled with scientific explanation and history, anecdotes, court cases, and, in the case of one of my favorite chapters, the chapter on hypnagogia, literature. It covers a lot of ideas, and many times I felt myself wanting to know more, more detailed explanation of a scientific phenomenon or medical procedure, or more details about the life of a person with a sleep disorder, but we had already jumped to the next thing. It's already a somewhat lengthy book, but I wouldn't have minded the extra pages.
I thought the chapter on sleep deprivation would be really scary, given that I am currently sleep deprived, and I put off reading it for several days, out of fear, but it turned out to be ok, not any scarier than the gaping unknown horror that I imagined when I had previous thought of when I thought about the potential impact of sleep deprivation on health.
I thought the chapter on sleep deprivation would be really scary, given that I am currently sleep deprived, and I put off reading it for several days, out of fear, but it turned out to be ok, not any scarier than the gaping unknown horror that I imagined when I had previous thought of when I thought about the potential impact of sleep deprivation on health.
October 1, 2019
Very interesting and made me realize I may have some undiagnosed sleep issues of my own. Mainly the most common of issues - sleep apnea.
March 14, 2019
Did you know caffeine has a half-life? Some of the caffeine you sipped in your morning coffee is still circulating when your head hits the pillow. I have insomnia, and I fell right to sleep every night I read this book. Very cool. Highly technical.
August 2, 2020
This book is a must-read for anyone suffering with narcolepsy or a related sleep disorder (or anyone with a narcoleptic in their life). Having lived with narcolepsy myself for over 8 years, this book this was the first time I felt like my experience was properly put into words. So much literature about narcolepsy can be disheartening or frightening, but Sleepyhead is the perfect blend of honest reality, personal experience, scientific explanation, and hopeful strategies.
Nicholls, himself a narcoleptic, shares his own experiences throughout the book along with the experiences of many others, framing it all in a scientifically inquisitive and informative light. Through interviews with some of sleep medicine's greatest researchers and their evidence-based findings, Nicholls explores the science behind how sleep works and the many ways it can go wrong. Along the way he also shares helpful pointers for natural ways we can attempt to counter these deficiencies. Nicholls clearly has a talent for translating scientific research and findings into everyday English while still maintaining specificity and clarity.
After reading this book I felt newly understood as a narcoleptic and empowered to take more control of my sleep. I also feel much better equipped to discuss my experience and the science behind it with those who struggle to understand.
Please take the time to read this book. You will not regret it.
Nicholls, himself a narcoleptic, shares his own experiences throughout the book along with the experiences of many others, framing it all in a scientifically inquisitive and informative light. Through interviews with some of sleep medicine's greatest researchers and their evidence-based findings, Nicholls explores the science behind how sleep works and the many ways it can go wrong. Along the way he also shares helpful pointers for natural ways we can attempt to counter these deficiencies. Nicholls clearly has a talent for translating scientific research and findings into everyday English while still maintaining specificity and clarity.
After reading this book I felt newly understood as a narcoleptic and empowered to take more control of my sleep. I also feel much better equipped to discuss my experience and the science behind it with those who struggle to understand.
Please take the time to read this book. You will not regret it.
January 17, 2019
This book discusses many recent studies and shows that sleep/lack thereof is starting to be more acknowledged as having the impact it does, more and more research is being done all the time. So eventually, the hope is that people can be diagnosed earlier than say, 15 years into their struggles. A good example of this kind of success is sleep apnea, which can now be noninvasively diagnosed and treated effectively for many people and has turned their lives around.
Unfortunately, this book does remind us that (1) there is still a hefty lack of knowledge about sleep and how it plays into other illnesses, and (2) we are leagues away from effective treatments, much less cures. There are countless anecdotes of patients seeking advice and solace from their physicians for years and years, with continual poo-pooences and misdiagnoses. Doctors should feel ashamed and disgraced for their nonchalance in regard to people's health. (See other book reviews for my diatribe on the lack of CARE in health care.)
Sleep difficulties are a waking nightmare. Thank you to Henry Nicholls for presenting such an accessible and up-to-date analysis of scientific research and reemphasizing the importance of this topic.
Unfortunately, this book does remind us that (1) there is still a hefty lack of knowledge about sleep and how it plays into other illnesses, and (2) we are leagues away from effective treatments, much less cures. There are countless anecdotes of patients seeking advice and solace from their physicians for years and years, with continual poo-pooences and misdiagnoses. Doctors should feel ashamed and disgraced for their nonchalance in regard to people's health. (See other book reviews for my diatribe on the lack of CARE in health care.)
Sleep difficulties are a waking nightmare. Thank you to Henry Nicholls for presenting such an accessible and up-to-date analysis of scientific research and reemphasizing the importance of this topic.
March 12, 2019
Well written technical info about narcolepsy.
August 5, 2018
Sleepyhead is an informative and entertaining nonfiction book that dives deep into the nature, causes, and treatments of narcolepsy. For someone with a limited understanding of narcolepsy, the book helps clear up a number of misconceptions and overgeneralizations about the disorder. Henry Nicholls shares his own experience living with narcolepsy and helps clarify the nature, course, and treatment of the disorder. He also creatively weaves in the rich, provocative stories of others who live with sleep-wake disorders, as well as a number of scientists who have helped explain and treat these disorders. While the focus is predominantly on narcolepsy, comorbidity rules among the sleep-wake disorders. Hence, Sleepyhead also details the nature, cause, and treatment of a number of other sleep-wake disorders.
As an educator, the book's stories are particularly helpful to deepen my understanding of these disorders and the supporting research. No doubt my future sleep-wake disorder presentations and learning activities will benefit from having read this book. Sleepyhead is another A+ selection among several outstanding nonfiction books on sleep over the last couple of years.
As an educator, the book's stories are particularly helpful to deepen my understanding of these disorders and the supporting research. No doubt my future sleep-wake disorder presentations and learning activities will benefit from having read this book. Sleepyhead is another A+ selection among several outstanding nonfiction books on sleep over the last couple of years.
May 23, 2019
Molto interessante, come lettura. Partendo dal suo personale problema l'autore affronta una disamina chiara ed esaustiva dei molti disturbi del sonno e patologie ad esso legate. Certamente una lettura scorrevole e divulgativa di alto livello anche se a volte si nota un eccesso di "narrativa personale" che in un contesto di divulgazione scientifica dovrebbe essere, a mio avviso, contenuta. Altrimenti diventa una mezza autobiografia, che è un altro genere.
Tre stelle e mezzo.
Tre stelle e mezzo.
October 27, 2019
I am relieved I do not suffer from narcolepsy! This is the book that sincerely acquainted me with this problem. Rather, if you could believe my boyfriend, I have become an incredibly sound sleeper.
Yet still, this is a useful book to consult if you are concerned about your sleeping patterns. Just take a look at the index. More, my own problems with sleep mostly stemmed from poor time management especially when it came close to mid-terms and finals...
Take a look!
Yet still, this is a useful book to consult if you are concerned about your sleeping patterns. Just take a look at the index. More, my own problems with sleep mostly stemmed from poor time management especially when it came close to mid-terms and finals...
Take a look!
January 16, 2019
This book was fantastic. I grabbed it on a whim when I saw it at the library and it didn’t disappoint. It gives a lot of insight into the various sleep problems people face. I really enjoyed his take on things since he has narcolepsy and understands what sleep problems can do to a person. I highly recommend this book.
February 12, 2019
ottimo testo di divulgazione scritto da un paziente affetto da narcolessia.
scorrevole, accurato, con una bibliografia abbondante, cita moltissimi lavori e scienziati noti per le ricerche nel campo dei disturbi del sonno, e fornisce anche qualche consiglio utile per affrontare le più comuni alterazioni.
valido.
scorrevole, accurato, con una bibliografia abbondante, cita moltissimi lavori e scienziati noti per le ricerche nel campo dei disturbi del sonno, e fornisce anche qualche consiglio utile per affrontare le più comuni alterazioni.
valido.
March 7, 2021
Well written and great sense of humor, but at time I found it confusing and too lax. I would have preferred more scientific details to be honest, some were given but the author shied away from delving deeper into the science (probably out of fear of alienating some of its audience).
March 17, 2018
A must read for every one!!
October 17, 2018
A good overview of sleep disfunctions, easily readable. Gave some real insight into narcolepsy, cataplexy and other conditions that plague people.
January 27, 2019
Interessante, esposizione abbastanza chiara, basata su esperienze dell'autore.
June 21, 2019
A well referenced, fascinating and personal inquiry into sleep, its role and disorders - though a bit disjointed at times.
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