The Power of Sleep

By: Jennifer Molano, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Jennifer Molano

Length: 2 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

It’s hard to think of something more satisfying than getting a good night’s sleep. Why is that? What exactly happens to our bodies and our brains when we’re sleeping? If that question has ever crossed your mind, or if you have ever struggled with sleep issues, you won’t want to miss this insightful and illuminating look at the science of sleep.

Sleep neurologist Jennifer Molano explores many different aspects of sleep, helping you better understand common sleep issues and providing practical tips to improve sleep in your life.

Over the course of six lectures, she will reveal what drives our sleep-wake cycle, what “healthy sleep” is, how our sleep cycles change over time, why sleep is important in regulating systems in our brains and bodies, and what symptoms may occur with sleep disturbances. You’ll learn about some common misconceptions and myths about how to get a better night’s rest and you’ll discover the essential components of optimal sleep health.

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling well-rested or you’re just curious about what happens when we sleep, then this is the Audible Original for you.

©2022 Audible Originals LLC (P)2022 Audible Originals LLC

Good tips at the end

It's very sciency, which is good, but not entertaining and I know the purpose is not to entertain, but it's a bit difficult to focus if it's just a bunch of facts one after the other.

That said, it was insightful and the review right at the end gives really good tips to help sleep better.

Important topic, but not for the layman

This audiobook does a good job of explaining its topic, but is too focused on sleep disorders and the such. If you’re a regular person without any disorders simply wanting to understand more about sleep, this isn’t the book for you

Good overview in simple to understand language

Good basic overview of sleep and sleep disturbances . Presented in chapters of information made it easy to follow. Author /narrator is knowledgeable and easy to listen to.

I loved the read! great book filled with facts!

great narrator. she's a Dr. the whole book was good.I actually listened to it, to go to sleep. So I'll give it another listen tonight.

Stopped listening, delivery style awful

This book might be really good but I had listened for 20 minutes and then just could not handle it any longer. It sounds like the narrator is holding a book right in front of her and reading from it. Most of the great courses actually sound like a professor up in front of people lecturing And sound way more natural. Although she had a good clear voice, it put me to sleep.

Wish I had known this before.

Great information on the sleep processes and functions, disorders and causes of poor sleep. Practical advice for obtaining a good night sleep was also shared. I made some changes in my routine because of the information presented here. Dr. Jennifer Molano has a very pleasant easy to listen to voice as well.

Excellent review of sleep and sleep disorders!

Dr. Molano gives an excellent, clear, concise review of sleep mechanisms and disorders geared toward the layman. The review gives a thorough update on recent concepts of the neurology of sleep and does well in summarizing sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep apnea, etc. Her discussion of treatments is excellent and she even spends time on methods that can be used by everyone to help relax and promote good sleep hygiene. I am a physician and learned useful data about sleep problems in patients with Alzheimer disease,Parkinsonism, aging, etc. Very highly recommended!

A course that reads like a lecture, not a book.

If someone knows absolutely nothing about sleep and is having some issues, this may provide some basic information.
However, for anyone who has a basic knowledge of sleep and health this is a slightly boring lecture type audio.
There was some missing parts about getting a good restful night sleep is missing such as getting in the sun in the morning (this stimulates hormones for wakefulness during the day and hormones for sleep at night).
A section on nutrients was also missing. Having an optimal vitamin D level as well as optimal magnesium and other minerals are important for deep sleep.
I did finish the book/course but on speed reading to get through it as it was so very, very basic.

Good information

Information was great and relevant, as who doesn't feel they could use more sleep at times. Unfortunately the instructor's delivery felt like she was simply reading from a book, and I found my mind drifting often.

I hoped for more...

The topic is very interesting and I learned a lot during these lectures. The only issue here is that author didn't talk about how to increase sleep quality naturally. She is focused on medications and sleep issues. But if you are a person who doesn't have these issues and want to inhance your sleep quality, you will not find useful incormation here.