All of us know that lack of sleep impairs cognitive performance. But we are now realizing that sleep quality, and how long that you spend in deeper restorative sleep, also plays an important role in brain function.

Today on humanOS Radio, Dan talks to Kristine Wilckens. Kristine is an assistant professor in the Sleep and Chronobiology Center in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research has focused on how sleep structure can be altered to enhance cognitive function.

In this interview, we review the role of slow wave sleep in learning and memory consolidation, and the kinds of activities that have been demonstrated to promote slow wave sleep. Many of these techniques - like heat exposure - are things that you can experiment with yourself right now. Check out the interview to learn more!