On a recent episode of the “Good Hang” podcast, host and comedian Amy Poehler and her guest, well-known actor, Jack Black, bonded over their shared CPAP use, a machine used for treating sleep apnea.
At one point in the episode, Poehler asks Black if he snores. She was delighted when Black answered that he had a CPAP machine. She said, “Dude, so do I!” They even high-fived when Black said, “CPAP team unite.” Not only was this a funny, entertaining podcast interview, but it was also encouraging for CPAP users who often experience shame, stigma, and jokes at their expense.
Both Amy Poehler and Jack Black are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder in which the airway becomes blocked during sleep and breathing repeatedly stops. Not only does this prevent people from getting the quality sleep they need, but it also has long-term health consequences, such as increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
To treat sleep apnea, CPAP, which stands for “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure,” is a common method. A CPAP machine pumps pressurized air through a mask worn over the face to hold the airway open during sleep. CPAP can be a challenging therapy for some, but for others, it can be highly effective from day one. As Jack Black shared on the podcast, “My CPAP machine was a game changer.” Amy Poehler agreed, saying, “changed my life.” When Black added that he can’t sleep without his CPAP machine, Poehler agreed again, saying she would never want to.
My CPAP was a game-changer”
– Jack Black, actor and comedian
These two famous comedians have done so much good for the sleep apnea community by normalizing sleeping with a CPAP, which can be daunting for new users. Sean Hayes, a fellow beloved comedian, recently talked about his struggles with his CPAP machine on an episode of the “Smartless” podcast. Hearing from celebrities in the public eye using CPAP can help people feel less alone in their sleep apnea journey.
For anyone feeling embarrassed about their CPAP therapy, Project Sleep’s Sleep Apnea Squad series offers free resources to help. In particular, a recent YouTube discussion on “Fighting Sleep Apnea Shame and Stigma,” helped the community come together to share their experiences facing stigma and shame surrounding their OSA diagnosis. Jason Webb and Edgar Castro Tello were both diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in their twenties and shared vulnerably about dating with a CPAP machine.
Hopefully, Amy Poehler and Jack Black sharing openly about using CPAP will encourage other CPAP users. If you feel alone in your CPAP journey, check out Project Sleep’s “Sleep Apnea Squad” program for resources.
Watch this video to see Project Sleep’s Sleep Apnea Program Manager Emma Cooksey react to the Amy Poehler and Jack Black Conversation about sleep apnea!
