Is sharing a bed with a partner good for sleep? On one level partners can be noisy, move around and be the cause of sleep disruption. But on the other hand, they can provide a sense of security and closeness. This month we discuss the pros and cons of sharing a bed.

Alcohol is commonly used as a sleep aid, but does it really help sleep? We talk with Dr Rowan Ogeil about the impact of alcohol on sleep as well as other health effects.

Hear the latest updates on sleep research from the Sleep 2019 meeting. In this episode we talk with Dr Simon Frenkel about the latest research in sleep.

How does what we eat impact on sleep? What foods or types of diet can help with sleep? To help decipher this complex area we talk to Assoc Prof Marie-Pierre St-Onge, Director Sleep Center of Excellence Columbia University, Irving Medical Center.

When we eat may be just as important as what we eat for managing obesity and health. We talk to Dr Gerda Pot, Nutritionist from the Louis Bolk Instituut and Kings College London about the emerging field of chrono-nutrition.

Is it really normal to sleep for 8 hours undisturbed each night, or is that just an unrealistic expectation? We talk to Darian Leader, author of Why Can't we Sleep? about how people have slept throughout history and how many of our expectations about sleep are driven by social fads.

Menopause is a time of significant changes in sleep, as well as a range of other symptoms. Why does this occur and how can symptoms be addressed?

Sleep problems are common in pregnancy and change as pregnancy evolves. What happens to sleep during pregnancy? What is the best way to deal with sleep through pregnancy?

Symptoms of tiredness, fatigue and sleepiness are common in chronic fatigue syndrome. How can these symptoms be addressed and sleep improved in people with fatigue syndromes? In this episode we tackle these questions with the help of Nathan Butler of Active Health Clinic.

Are naps a good idea? How long should naps be? How can you get better at napping? Listen to this episode of Sleep Talk as we tackle these questions with the help of nativist Thea O'Connor of NapNow.

What are the common sleeping pills used for insomnia? When should they be used and what should you look out for when using sleeping pills?

How is sleepiness measured? Can sleepiness from different causes be differentiated? What new tools are being developed? These are questions that come up in clinical practice every day and are important when putting together treatment plans for people with symptoms of hypersomnolence (sleepiness) or hypersomnia disorders. We address these questions and more with the help of Assistant Prof David Plante from University of Wisconsin.

What changes in sleep are seen in depression? What can be done to improve sleep disturbance and sleepiness in depression?

What really is the relationship between light, the circadian rhythm and mood? How might modern anti-depressants alter that relationship? We address these questions and more with the help of Associate Prof Sean Cain from Monash University.

Highlights from the Sleep Down Under 2018 meeting in Brisbane. Topics highlighted are narcolepsy, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep health and the effects of caffeine on sleep.

Interested in the latest research on sleep discussed by world experts? Check out this update from the Sleep 2018 meeting in Baltimore.

Sleep problems are very common in people with traumatic brain injury and not just after severe injuries. Recent research from Monash University has looked in to mechanisms via which sleep problems may occur after head injuries and strategies that can be used to improve symptoms. In this episode Moira and David talk with Dr Natalie Grima, Clinical Neuropsychologist, about her experience working with people with traumatic brain injury and sleep problems. Dr Moira Junge (Health Psychologist)...

Sleep and work patterns can impact on cancer risk as well as the response to cancer treatments. In this episode we talk to Assistant Professor Peter James from Harvard Medical School about his paper on cancer risk and night-time light exposure and discuss previous research on nurses working night shift showing an increased risk of breast cancer. We also introduce the field of chronotherapeutics, matching individual circadian rhythms to drug dosing to optimise outcomes and minimise side effects.

Sleep problems are very common in people with cancer, both during and after treatment. In addition to insomnia and sleep disturbance, other symptoms such as fatigue and sleep disorders such as restless legs symptoms and obstructive sleep apnea also occur. In this episode Moira and David talk with Justin Diggens, clinical psychologist from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre about her experience working with people with cancer and the Can-Sleep program to address sleep-difficulties in people with...

Having trouble with sleep is not just about what you do at night. How you think and behave during the day impacts on sleep and can result in the brain being over stimulated or hyperaroused at night. In this episode Moira and David discuss how the brain works in insomnia, and talk with Professor Dieter Riemann from University of Freiburg about hyperarousal. What is it? How does it impact on sleep, and what can be done about it?

Understanding sleep beliefs and behaviours in different cultures can help better understand your own beliefs about sleep, and in turn change your expectations around sleep. In this episode we talk to Dr Andrew Beale on sleep in two communities in Mozambique, and Dr Himanshu Garg on sleep in India including common sleep problems, sleep behaviours and traditional beliefs around sleep.

Why do people get jet lag, and what can be done to reduce the effects of jet lag? In this episode, hear what Qantas is doing to help their passengers arrive fresh at their destination. With the introduction of new 787-9 Dreamliner planes and their ultra-long-haul route non-stop from Perth to London starting in March 2018, Qantas has invested heavily in strategies to reduce the effects of jet lag. You'll also hear from the developer of the Entrain app on using the app to manage light exposure...

What does economics have to do with sleep? A lot it turns out. Inadequate sleep is a major cause of ill health and loss of productivity in modern economies. A recent Australian report put that cost at 4% of gross domestic product. Economic principles can also be used to help with getting people to take up effective sleep treatments. The relatively new discipline of behavioural economics can teach us a lot about designing systems to promote healthy choices including around sleep.

Children with severe developmental disabilities or autism often have difficulty with sleep which can not only impact on their sleep, but affect the whole family. These disorders are common, with autism affecting around 2% of the population. To understand why this occurs and what can be done we talk to Assoc Prof Margot Davey from Monash Childrens' sleep Centre and Assoc Prof Amanda Richdale from La Trobe University.

Sleep apnea is common and can cause significant symptoms. But how can it be treated and how do you decide what treatment to use?  Historically treatment choices have been made based on the severity of sleep apnea. However, treatment can be more personalised by assessing airway anatomy and physiology. With the help of Prof Stuart Mackay and Dr Brad Edwards, we discuss the latest research and talk through how to treat sleep apnea.