15 TED and TEDx Talks on Sleep

Although sleep is a crucial aspect of human life, occupying about one-third of our existence, many people report not getting the necessary hours of sleep their bodies need. While most of us will experience sleep deprivation at some point due to life’s stressors, conditions such as insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea can affect sleep quality on a daily basis for some individuals. Many sleep disorders are not widely discussed, even in clinical settings, leaving those who live with them feeling isolated and without answers.

Lack of awareness about sleep health, sleep equity, and sleep disorders is a public health issue that needs to be addressed in order to better support those affected and work towards solutions that promote overall well-being. To help raise awareness and education around sleep, check out and share these 15 great TED and TEDx Talks on sleep; from science, health, and advocacy to important patient perspectives.

TED and TEDx Talks on Sleep Science

The Science of Sleep (and the Art of Productivity) | Dr. Matthew Carter | TEDxNorthAdams

Matthew Carter is a professor in the Biology Department at Williams College where he teaches courses in Neuroscience and Physiology. At Williams, Dr. Carter’s lab studies how the brain regulates sleep and food intake and the relationship between sleep and productivity. In this TEDxNorthAdams talk, Dr. Carter disputes the belief that hard work requires sleep deprivation and argues that it actually prevents us from reaching our full potential.

We need to completely embrace sleep as a culture.”

-Dr. Matthew Carter

Why Do We Sleep? | Russell Foster | TED

Russell Foster, a circadian neuroscientist specializing in sleep cycles, poses a crucial question: What do we really know about sleep? Despite spending one-third of our lives sleeping, our understanding is surprisingly limited. In this talk, Foster explores three prevalent theories about why we sleep, dispels common myths about sleep requirements at different ages, and suggests innovative ways sleep might predict mental health.

Sleep was once likened to an upgrade from economy to business class. It’s not even an upgrade from economy to first class. If you don’t sleep, you don’t fly.”

-Russell Foster

What Genes Tell Us About Sleep | Ying-Hui Fu | TEDxThacherSchool

Dr. Ying-Hui Fu has spent years researching the genetics and biology of neurodegenerative diseases and has recently shifted her focus to human sleep behavior. Despite sleep comprising about one-third of our lives, its mechanisms and regulation remain poorly understood. Chronic sleep disruption is linked to increased risks of accidents and various diseases, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, neurodegeneration, and psychiatric conditions.

Dr. Fu and her team identified the first genes and mutations associated with extreme morning larks—people who naturally go to sleep and wake up very early. Additionally, her research has uncovered the genes and mutations responsible for natural short sleepers, individuals who require only 4-6 hours of sleep per night to feel rested and function optimally.

It’s fair to say that our current appreciation of sleep and health problems is where smoking and lung cancer was about 40 years ago.”

-Dr. Ying-Hui Fu

A Sleep Epidemic | Charles Czeisler | TEDxCambridge 2011

Charles Czeisler, chief of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, explains why we’re sleeping less than we did a generation ago, and the damaging effects it’s having on our health, including increased diagnoses of psychiatric illness, heart disease, and obesity. One thing’s for certain: lack of sleep can speed up one’s journey to the grave.

If you want to thrive while alive, sleep”

-Charles Czeisler

TED and TEDx Talks on Sleep Health

Sleep Is Your Superpower | Matt Walker | TED

“Sleep is a non-negotiable biological necessity. It is your life-support system, and it is mother nature’s best effort yet at immortality,” says sleep scientist Matthew Walker. In this in-depth look at sleep science, Walker discusses the significant benefits of getting enough sleep and the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on your brain and body. Find out how sleep affects your learning, memory, immune system, and genetics, along with practical advice for achieving better rest.

The decimation of sleep…is becoming one of the greatest public health challenges that we face in the 21st century.”

-Matthew Walker

Science of Sleep | Dr. Michelle Olaithe | TEDxMandurah

How well do you sleep? Dr. Michelle Olaithe, a mother of 2, psychologist, and researcher at the University of Western Australia, poses this question to examine how society values sleep and its implications for brain health. She warns, “We are not going to work ourselves to death; we’re going to wake ourselves to death.” So, how can we prevent this? Dr. Olaithe suggests practicing mindfulness and meditation to keep the mind focused and limiting technology use late at night to achieve a deeper, more restorative sleep.

If you want to work hard, you need to rest harder.”

-Dr. Michelle Olaithe

Stories From the Sleep Clinic | Dr. Kirstie Anderson | TEDxNewcastleCollege

At one of the UK’s largest NHS sleep clinics, Dr. Anderson encounters a variety of sleep-related issues, from difficulties falling asleep due to disturbances caused by nighttime noises or misalignment with daily routines. Poor sleep can adversely affect mood, memory, and metabolism, making it essential to stabilize sleep, especially for those with severe mental health challenges. But how can we better comprehend and protect our own sleep, and why is it so crucial?

You live in a daytime world, so when things go wrong, you always tend to blame a daytime disease rather than focusing in on the night.”

-Dr. Kirstie Anderson

Sleep and Work | Chris Barnes | TEDxOregonStateU

Today, leaders often boast about their minimal sleep as a symbol of their dedication and work ethic. However, this approach may be counterproductive. Christopher M. Barnes is an Associate Professor of Management at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington. His research focuses on human sustainability, particularly the impact of sleep on work performance. In this talk, Chris examines how chronic sleep deprivation diminishes efficiency, negatively impacts productivity, and harms overall health.

Even missing a few hours of sleep has noticeable impacts on outcomes we should care about.”

-Christopher M. Barnes

TED and TEDx Talks on Sleep Advocacy

Sleep Deprivation & Disparities in Health, Economic and Social Wellbeing | Lauren Hale | TEDxSBU

Many people are not getting enough sleep, and the consequences go beyond mere fatigue. Sleep researcher Dr. Lauren Hale investigates how social patterns of sleep contribute to cycles of health and well-being inequality. By analyzing demographic, behavioral, and neighborhood data from extensive studies, she identifies sleep and wellness patterns across different age groups. Her research highlights significant public health and social justice issues, and she provides initial thoughts on potential solutions for individuals and society. Dr. Hale is an Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at Stony Brook University and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Sleep Foundation.

These disparities of sleep are a matter of social justice and public health policy.”

-Dr. Lauren Hale

The Neurological Consequences of a Misfit Mouth on Sleep | Jerald Simmons | TEDxSugarLand

As a neurologist specializing in sleep medicine, Dr. Jerald H. Simmons examines patients’ jaws and teeth for signs of sleep apnea and advocates for early intervention to prevent long-term suffering. He is the Founding Director of Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates and the Sleep Education Consortium. With extensive experience in neurology, epilepsy, and sleep medicine, Dr. Simmons’s recent research focuses on the relationships between clenching, sleep bruxism, TMJ disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as between ADHD and sleep disturbances. He is also leading a national effort to improve early screening and treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders in children.

That’s the future we’re working for. [If] our future generations sleep better, they’ll live better.”

-Dr. Jerald H. Simmons

Sleepy Teens: A Public Health Epidemic | Wendy Troxel | TEDxManhattanBeach

Sleep deprivation, often dismissed by parents, teachers, and school administrators as a normal part of adolescence, is deemed by Rand Corporation sleep scientist Wendy Troxel as a public health epidemic. Contrary to the belief that social activities or media usage are to blame, Dr. Troxel argues that the primary cause is early school start times, highlighting this as a significant public policy issue.

Dr. Troxel’s research examines the connections between sleep, the social environment, and health, with implications for public policy. Supported by the Department of Defense and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, she also practices as a clinical psychologist, offering behavioral treatments for sleep disorders.

Sleep deprivation among American teenagers is an epidemic.”

-Dr. Wendy Dr. Troxel

TED and TEDx Talks on Sleep Featuring Patient Voices

What Can You Learn From a Professional Dreamer? | Julie Flygare | TEDxSDSU

In this talk, Julie Flygare, JD, President and CEO of Project Sleep and author of Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy, explores the gap between the scientific understanding of sleep’s impact on physical and mental health and societal perceptions of sleep. Diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy in her twenties, Flygare explains how sleep disorders can disrupt waking life and offers insights on leveraging sleep for better daytime success. Since founding Project Sleep in 2013, she has been a leader in raising awareness about sleep health through advocacy, speaking engagements, and publications.

My greatest hope is that today you can start writing your own sleep story, seeing that sleep is not something to avoid, but something to honor.”

-Julie Flygare

Want to Get Ahead? Go to Sleep | David Randall | TEDxBeaconStreet

David Randall, a journalist, speaker, and educator, first delved into the subject of sleep after a painful incident involving sleepwalking into a wall. This experience inspired him to write the bestselling book Dreamland: Adventures in the Strange Science of Sleep. Through his research and writing, Randall reveals that while sleep is crucial to success, it remains a grand mystery waiting to be fully understood.

David earned his BA from the University of California, Riverside, and his master’s in journalism from New York University, where he has also served as an adjunct professor. He resides in Brooklyn with his wife and son.

Without sleep, our brains go from our greatest evolutionary asset to our biggest disadvantage.”

-David Randall

The Power of a Disability | Maeve Sheehy | TEDxNatick

Maeve Sheehy is an honors high school student, athlete, and sleep advocate who was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy at the young age of thirteen. Being diagnosed with a sleep disorder acted as a double-edged sword. On one hand, her feelings that something was wrong were validated; on the other, she now had to live with the realities of her diagnosis. As time went on, Maeve was able to find a supportive community of people with similar conditions who filled her with excitement about the future. She looks forward to new opportunities such as learning to drive and going to college.

When I was diagnosed, I was promised two things: a life sentence and a way to manage. But I’ve done a lot more than manage.”

-Maeve Sheehy

The Rise of Sleep Disorders and What We Can Do About It | Teagan Youmans | TEDxOlympiaHighSchool

Aspiring adolescent therapist Teagan Youmans is a student from Olympia, Washington, who was diagnosed with narcolepsy and delayed sleep phase disorder at the age of 16. Teagan recounts in his teenage years sleeping through holidays, soccer practices, and other important events, yet feeling like it was never enough. Still, he considers himself one of the “lucky ones” because being diagnosed at a young age provided him with early access to answers, resources, and accommodations for his condition. Youmans addresses misconceptions about sleep disorders, offers guidance on recognizing potential signs of sleep conditions, and suggests changes to one’s daily routine that can enhance sleep, all with the goal of educating others and reshaping the narrative about sleep health.

I’m no longer afraid to put my wellness first and neither should you…Don’t be afraid to challenge the stigma that has been pushed unto you stating otherwise, because your sleep is worth it.”

-Teagan Youmans

In Conclusion: 15 TED and TEDx Talks on Sleep

Understanding sleep and addressing its disparities among populations is paramount for improving public well-being. This collection of 15 insightful TED and TEDx Talks shines a much-needed spotlight on the multifaceted nature of sleep, offering valuable knowledge and personal stories that emphasize the significance of sleep for our physical and mental health.

By sharing these talks, we can foster a more informed and compassionate community that supports those facing sleep challenges and promotes equitable access to sleep for all. Leave a comment below about which TED or TEDx talk spoke to you the most to start the conversation!