Read about this class:

Sleep is not just rest—it's repair, regulation, andsurvival. In a powerful and personal presentation, Dr. Daniel Hammond revealsthe unseen forces behind our nightly routines, what happens when sleep goeswrong, and why sleep apnea is a silent epidemic stealing health and years frommillions.

What Really Happens When We Sleep

Sleep is not a passive process. While the body rests, thebrain stays active—reorganizing memories, releasing vital hormones like growthhormone and cortisol, and clearing out unnecessary information. REM (Rapid EyeMovement) sleep, essential for brain development and function, decreases from 8hours in newborns to about 2 in adults.

Dreams, once thought by Freud to relieve psychologicalpressure, appear vividly real and may help regulate emotions. The Bible, Dr.Hammond notes, is filled with meaningful dreams—from Jacob’s ladder to Joseph’sinterpretations for Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar.

Modern Disruptions: Light, Melatonin, and CircadianRhythms

Electric lighting has profoundly disrupted the naturallight-dark cycle that regulates our internal clocks. Melatonin, the hormoneresponsible for signaling sleep, resets our circadian rhythm. Exposure toartificial light at night and irregular sleep patterns throw off this delicatesystem.

Napping can be fine—if it doesn't interfere with nighttimesleep. And interestingly, military operations often exploit circadian lows inthe early morning for strategic advantage.

Sleep Debt and Its Consequences

Just like financial debt, sleep debt accumulates. Once sleepdeprivation hits 50 hours or more, cognitive and physical consequences becomeserious—affecting reaction time, memory, emotional regulation, and immunity.

Sleep deprivation is even considered a form of torture underthe Geneva Convention. And Dr. Hammond warns: it can lead to mistakes,violence, and even death—especially behind the wheel. Over 24,000 deathsannually are caused by drowsy driving. Truckers, young drivers, and anyonesleep-deprived are at high risk.

Insomnia, Weight Gain, and Mental Decline

Insomnia isn’t a disease—it’s a symptom. It may be linked toiron deficiency, reflux, or lifestyle factors. And when sleep is lost, muscledeclines, fat increases, and metabolism falters. Nighttime snacking onlyworsens the problem. Lack of sleep has been tied to:

• Obesity
• Frequent colds
• Depression
• Dementia
• Poor memory and mental clarity

Dr. Hammond makes it clear: without quality sleep,medications lose effectiveness.

The Truth About Sleep Aids and Natural Alternatives

While common sleep medications like Ambien, Xanax, andValium may offer short-term help, they also pose risks: memory loss, next-daydrowsiness, dependency, and even dangerous behavior like sleep-driving.

Instead, Dr. Hammond recommends natural alternatives suchas:

• Valerian     Root (his personal favorite)
• L-Theanine
• Lemon     Balm
• Melatonin
• Ashwagandha     (to reduce cortisol)

Melatonin, in particular, has been shown to boost immunity,improve memory, and possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea affects an estimated 50 million Americans,and many have no idea they suffer from it.

Key symptoms and red flags:

• Snoring,  especially with pauses in breathing
• Waking with a headache or sore throat
• Chronic fatigue
• Mouth breathing
• Difficulty concentrating or memory lapses
• Weight gain and poor sleep quality

Even children can have sleep apnea—often misdiagnosed asADHD or behavioral issues when the real problem is disrupted sleep from snoringor enlarged tonsils.

Dr. Hammond’s Personal Wake-Up Call

Despite being fit and having a normal BMI, Dr. Hammonddiscovered he had borderline sleep apnea after a home test. At his wife’surging (she noticed his breathing stopped at night), he got a CPAP machine—andit changed everything.

He now encourages others to take the condition seriously:

“If I do anything here, I might help somebody from fallingapart too early. Don’t delay. Don’t ignore the snore.”

Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea

Diagnosis is easier than ever. No need to spend anight in a strange lab hooked to machines. Home sleep studies using pulseoximeter-like devices can detect the condition efficiently.

Treatment options include:

• CPAP Machines – Quieter, smaller, and more comfortable than ever.
• Lifestyle Changes – Sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol, managing weight.
• Surgery Inspire Device) – A surgically implanted device that stimulates the     tongue via the hypoglossal nerve to keep the airway open.

While CPAP remains the most common treatment, Inspire mayhelp in complex cases—though it is more invasive and expensive.

Sleep Hygiene: Building Healthy Habits

Dr. Hammond emphasizes the importance of consistent sleephygiene:

• Go to bed at the same time daily
• Avoid screens and stress in the bedroom
• Keep the room dark, quiet, and cool
• Avoid caffeine, heavy meals, and emails before bed
• Don’t rely on alarms—good sleep lets you wake naturally

Final Takeaway: Don’t Ignore the Snore

Snoring is not normal. It’s a symptom—a warning.

Untreated sleep apnea leads to:

• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Heart issues
• Shortened lifespan

“Don’t wait until your brain function is damaged. Don’t letpride or procrastination keep you from one of the most important medicalinterventions you might ever need.”

If someone you love snores, wakes up tired, or hasunexplained health issues—encourage them to get tested.

Resources

• Home sleep tests are now widely available and easy to use.
• CPAP therapy is effective and increasingly user-friendly.
• Consultation with your physician can help determine next steps.

“Sweet dreams,” Dr. Hammond concludes. “But make surethey’re real—and restorative.”