Biography
Dr Matthew Walker researches how sleep shapes memory, learning, emotion, and long-term health. After earning his neuroscience degree and a Ph.D. in neurophysiology in the UK, he taught at Harvard Medical School before joining UC Berkeley as a professor and founding the Center for Human Sleep Science. He wrote the global bestseller Why We Sleep and hosts The Matt Walker Podcast. If you’re starting with the Dr Matthew Walker book list, his work blends rigorous science with everyday advice, making sleep research practical for students, professionals, and families.
Author Summary
| Language | English (429) |
|---|---|
| Born On | 1972 (2) |
| Genre | nonfiction (88), popular science (2) |
| Category | Health (55) |
| Topics | dream (1), learning (12), memory (5), performance (3), sleep (3) |
| Audiences | athletes (13), clinicians (7), educators (29), executives (18), students (292) |
Popularity Score
Dr Matthew Walker Book list
Click book name to see chapterwise and video book summary
Dr Matthew Walker is a British neuroscientist and leading authority on sleep, best known as the author of the international bestseller Why We Sleep. A professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkeley and founder of the Center for Human Sleep Science, he translates complex research on sleep, memory, and health into actionable insights for the public. His talks and podcast reach millions worldwide. For readers exploring the Dr Matthew Walker book list, Why We Sleep stands as a definitive, accessible guide to the science of slumber.
Interview Questions
Why do you say most adults need 7–9 hours of sleep?
Large epidemiological and laboratory studies show a dose–response: sleeping under ~7 hours impairs cognition, emotional regulation, immune function, and cardiometabolic health. In interviews, Walker explains there’s no biological system that benefits from chronic short sleep, and risks rise as sleep declines.
How do caffeine and alcohol affect sleep quality?
Walker notes caffeine blocks adenosine, delaying sleepiness and fragmenting sleep due to its long half-life. Alcohol acts as a sedative, suppressing REM and causing fragmented, shallow sleep. Both reduce next-day performance and learning.
Are naps helpful or harmful?
He says brief naps (10–20 minutes) can boost alertness and learning without much sleep inertia. However, late or long naps can reduce sleep pressure and make it harder to fall asleep at night, especially for those with insomnia.
What is the link between sleep and memory?
Walker describes a two-way process: deep NREM sleep helps consolidate new memories, transferring them from short-term to long-term storage, while REM sleep supports integration, creativity, and emotional processing.
What practical steps improve sleep?
His core tips include a consistent sleep schedule, a cool dark bedroom (~18°C/65°F), reduced evening light exposure, avoiding caffeine after early afternoon and alcohol near bedtime, regular exercise (not late at night), and a wind-down routine.
Why We Sleep Quotes
No quotes found for this book.