Dr. Mary Kay Ross, a brain health expert and Thorne’s Chief Medical Officer, joins The Thorne Podcast to answer your questions about sleep – why we sleep, techniques for falling and staying asleep, the best supplements for sleep issues, and much more. Rundown During this episode you’ll learn: What Dr. Mary Kay Ross, brain health expert and Thorne’s Chief Medical Officer, has to say about why we sleep [00:00:50] How sleep is like housekeeping for our brains [1:34] The signs, symptoms, and health risks of sleep apnea [7:10] How hormone testing can help and why cortisol can impact your sleep [12:17] The best Thorne supplements and techniques for improving your sleep quality [18:38] Questions from the community [23:53] What is the difference between a sleep test like the one that Thorne does and a sleep study? [24:01] Can I fix sleep apnea on my own with diet or supplements? [25:45] Are afternoon naps a good idea? [28:17] Why am I exhausted during the day, but then I can't fall asleep at night? [30:19] What's the difference between melatonin and serotonin, and which one is better for sleep? [35:20] What's the difference between a sleeping pill and melatonin and can you overdose on melatonin? [37:51] I regularly wake up in the middle of the night wide awake and then I have trouble falling asleep again. Is there anything I can do to stop waking up? [41:15] Resources to topics mentioned in this episode: Why Sleep Is Important And What You Can Do To Improve It Stop Counting Sheep: Here's Why You're Having Trouble Sleeping Creating a Routine Around Sleep Lights Out! 5 Ways You Might Be Sabotaging Your Sleep Quality The Top 5 Supplements for a Good Night's Sleep Melatonin 101: What It Is, What It Does, and What Causes Disruptions Mayo Clinic Discusses the Dangers of Sleep Apnea Matthew Walker “Why We Sleep” Links to products mentioned in this episode: Stress Balance (formerly Phytisone), Phosphatidylserine (formerly Iso-Phos), Melaton-3, PharmaGABA, 5-Hydroxytryptophan, Sleep Test, Magnesium Bisglycinate, Theanine   Subscribe To More Content Make sure to never miss an episode by subscribing to the show on your podcast app. You can also learn more about what we talked about by visiting Thorne.com and checking out the latest news, videos, and stories on Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog.