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#341 - Overcoming insomnia: improving sleep hygiene and treating disordered sleep with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia | Ashley Mason, Ph.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

Release Date: 03/24/2025

#355 – Skincare strategies, the science of facial aging, and cosmetic-intervention guidance | Tanuj Nakra, M.D. & Suzan Obagi, M.D. show art #355 – Skincare strategies, the science of facial aging, and cosmetic-intervention guidance | Tanuj Nakra, M.D. & Suzan Obagi, M.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

Tanuj Nakra and Suzan Obagi, two leading experts in aesthetic medicine, join Peter to explore the science of facial aging and skin health as well as the responsibilities physicians face in the world of cosmetic procedures. In this episode, they examine the biological and hormonal drivers of facial aging, the evolutionary and psychological foundations of attractiveness, and the impact of modern media on beauty standards. They discuss the rise in cosmetic procedures among adolescents and the ethical responsibilities of physicians in these cases. The conversation then shifts to a practical,...

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#354 – What the dying can teach us about living well: lessons on life and reflections on mortality | BJ Miller, M.D. and Bridget Sumser, L.C.S.W. show art #354 – What the dying can teach us about living well: lessons on life and reflections on mortality | BJ Miller, M.D. and Bridget Sumser, L.C.S.W.

The Peter Attia Drive

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#353 - AMA #72: Fasting: benefits for body composition and disease prevention, potential risks, and Peter’s updated practical framework show art #353 - AMA #72: Fasting: benefits for body composition and disease prevention, potential risks, and Peter’s updated practical framework

The Peter Attia Drive

In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter revisits the topic of fasting, sharing how his thinking has evolved over time. The episode explores fasting-related terminology and common types of fasting, as well as the various reasons individuals might choose to fast. Peter explores potential benefits including improvements in body composition, metabolic health, lifespan extension, cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention and treatment, neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and autoimmune symptoms like arthritis. He also examines the risks and potential...

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#352 ‒ Female fertility: optimizing reproductive health, diagnosing and treating infertility and PCOS, and understanding the IVF process | Paula Amato, M.D. show art #352 ‒ Female fertility: optimizing reproductive health, diagnosing and treating infertility and PCOS, and understanding the IVF process | Paula Amato, M.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

This is part two of a two-part mini-series on fertility and reproductive health. Paula Amato is a leading expert in female reproductive health and infertility, widely recognized for her contributions to advancing fertility treatment and research. In this episode, which follows last week's conversation on male fertility, Paula explores the biology of female fertility, including how hormonal changes regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation, what those patterns reveal about fertility potential, and why both partners should be evaluated early in infertility workups. She discusses the role of...

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#351 ‒ Male fertility: optimizing reproductive health, diagnosing and treating infertility, and navigating testosterone replacement therapy | Paul Turek, M.D. show art #351 ‒ Male fertility: optimizing reproductive health, diagnosing and treating infertility, and navigating testosterone replacement therapy | Paul Turek, M.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

This is part one of a two-part mini-series on fertility and reproductive health, with next week's guest, Dr. Paula Amato, focusing on the female side of the equation. Paul Turek is a world-renowned expert in male fertility and reproductive health, the founder and medical director of the Turek Clinic, and host of the Talk with Turek podcast. In this episode, Paul explores the topic of male fertility, offering a detailed look at the complex and highly coordinated process of conception and the many challenges sperm face on their journey to fertilizing an egg. He shares fascinating insights...

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#350 ‒ Injury prevention, recovery, and performance optimization for every decade | Kyler Brown, D.C. show art #350 ‒ Injury prevention, recovery, and performance optimization for every decade | Kyler Brown, D.C.

The Peter Attia Drive

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#349 - AMA #71: Building strength and muscle mass: how to optimize training, nutrition, and more for longevity show art #349 - AMA #71: Building strength and muscle mass: how to optimize training, nutrition, and more for longevity

The Peter Attia Drive

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#348 ‒ Women’s sexual health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Rachel Rubin, M.D. show art #348 ‒ Women’s sexual health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Rachel Rubin, M.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

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#347 – Peter’s takeaways on mastering sleep, dealing with chronic pain, developing breakthrough cancer drugs, transforming healthcare with AI, advancing radiation therapy, and healing trauma | Quarterly Podcast Summary #5 show art #347 – Peter’s takeaways on mastering sleep, dealing with chronic pain, developing breakthrough cancer drugs, transforming healthcare with AI, advancing radiation therapy, and healing trauma | Quarterly Podcast Summary #5

The Peter Attia Drive

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The Peter Attia Drive

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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.

We discuss:

  • Defining insomnia: diagnosis, prevalence, and misconceptions [3:00];
  • How insomnia develops, and breaking the cycle with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) [7:45];
  • The different types of insomnia, and the impact of anxiety, hydration, temperature, and more on sleep [11:45];
  • The core principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and how CBT-I is used to treat insomnia [20:00];
  • Implementing CBT-I: time in bed restriction, sleep scheduling, and the effect of napping [29:45];
  • Navigating family and partner sleep schedules, falling asleep on the couch, sleep chronotypes, and more [39:45];
  • Key aspects of sleep hygiene: temperature, light exposure, and circadian rhythm disruptions [44:45];
  • Blue light and mental stimulation before bed, and the utility of A-B testing sleep habits [52:45];
  • Other simple interventions that may improve sleep [57:30];
  • Ashley’s view on relaxation techniques and mindfulness-based practices [1:02:30];
  • The effectiveness of CBT-I, the role of sleep trackers, and best practices for managing nighttime awakenings [1:04:15];
  • Guidance on intake of food and alcohol for good sleep [1:16:30];
  • Reframing thoughts and nighttime anxiety to reduce sleep disruptions [1:18:45];
  • Ashley’s take on sleep supplements like melatonin [1:21:45];
  • How to safely taper off sleep medications like benzos and Ambien [1:26:00];
  • Sleep problems that need to be addressed before CBT-I can be implemented [1:38:30];
  • The importance of prioritizing a consistent wake-up time over a fixed bedtime for better sleep regulation [1:40:15];
  • Process S and Process C: the science of sleep pressure and circadian rhythms [1:45:15];
  • How exercise too close to bedtime may impact sleep [1:47:45];
  • The structure and variability of CBT-I, Ashley’s approach, and tips for finding a therapist [1:50:30];
  • The effect of sauna and cold plunge before bed on sleep quality [1:56:00];
  • Key takeaways on CBT-I, and why no one should have to suffer from insomnia [1:58:15]; and
  • More.

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