Secrets of Sleep Science: From Dreams to Disorders

By: Craig H. Heller, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Craig H. Heller

Sleep is the subject of intense scientific debate among biologists and neuroscientists. Why must we spend about one-third of our lives asleep? What exactly is sleep? Why does a lack of sleep impair our cognitive abilities and leave us vulnerable to a host of medical issues ranging from obesity to reduced resistance to infectious disease?

These 24 engrossing lectures take you to the forefront of the field to reveal what happens in the sleeping brain right down to the cellular and molecular level. You'll investigate what biological changes occur during wakefulness that are reversed during sleep - and why your brain forces you to fall asleep to repay an accumulated sleep deficit, no matter how dangerous the circumstances.

The science of sleep encompasses basic concepts of electricity, neuroanatomy, and neurochemistry, which are responsible for the "architecture of sleep." Professor Heller explains the science behind our circadian rhythms, REM and non-REM sleep, the physiology of dreaming, and more.

Sleep pathologies and disorders are among the most fascinating topics of the course. From disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome to parasomnias such as sleepwalking and night terrors, the most up-to-date findings in the science of sleep are truly riveting.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2013 The Great Courses

TONS of good information

These lectures are incredibly dense with pharmacology, psychology, psychiatry, physiology...all around sleep. My frustration with sleep has always been that we know so little, but these lectures crystallize just about everything. Taken that way, it's an awful lot. Also, for bad sleepers like myself, there is a lot of practical advice and even the occasional glimmer of hope in here, particularly for what the future may bring. Well done and well worth a listen or three.

You need sleep..

Powerful course on the importance of sleep and how to get more quality sleep through lifestyle changes. If you are a professional seeking to stay sharp throughout your career this would be a good place to start and learn the ins and outs to sleep importance.

Great overview

Great for the neuroscientist and the layperson. Helps me better understand the need for sleep and why making sleep a priority is so important. Also helps solidify what we have experienced with our kids. Recommended.

Extremely well done, informational and interesting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend. I learned so much about the mechanics and biology of sleep. Much of it I have been able to use in various ways to help me sleep better.

What does Professor Craig H. Heller bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His tone indicates he loves this topic and is passionate about it. He brought difficult to understand topics within my reach.

Awesome book, extremely interesting

The author done an amazing job teaching the science of sleep . He brought very relevant examples of sleep studies to support the learning. I was very intrigued and interested through whole book. I will certainly listen to this again as material is pretty deep for some topics. The brain is amazing and sleep is critical for proper function. The sleep debit information is very eye opening. He is an expert in this field and is an engaging speaker. I learned a huge amount and was surprised over the many related subjects that are affected by sleep. One of my favorite books.

Excellent content, excellent narration

What did you love best about Secrets of Sleep Science: From Dreams to Disorders?

The narrator did a superb job. Pace, tone, rapport, comfort with technical terms, etc. This guy knows his stuff and has the gift of being an enjoyable narrator!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Secrets of Sleep Science: From Dreams to Disorders?

The explanations about how sleep and memory and learning are linked, and what experiments they do to pinpoint and deduce where, when, and how this works. I've learnt a great deal.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to audiobooks in my car on my commute to and from work. Each leg is about 40 minutes. I was always a bit disappointed when I arrived at my destination, because I wish could listen just a bit longer!Having said that, listening through the entire thing in one go would be too much. One has to sleep, no. :-)

Fascinating Information

While in school to become a Sleep Technologist, I previously learned about much of this information. The author discussed many studies & experiments that were fascinating & also new to me. I learned a lot from this book. I couldn't wait read each chapter!

Ignore complaints about the reader...

This is a richly in-depth set of scientific lectures on a complex subject. The professor's enthusiasm for and fascination with the subject are contagious! There is much factual information in each lecture, so less time is given to purely entertaining the listener. If you enjoy the thrill of discovery, and find good science entertaining in itself, you'll listen to this one more than once.

Great Book! Very informative!

Dr Heller explains the neuroanatomy of sleep very well and easy to understand. The best lecture that I have heard on this subject.

Required info to stay healthy

Very good book, lots of info well organised on a complex and important subject. I enjoyed it.