Newsletter #004: Simple Interventions for better sleep 😴
Welcome to the fourth edition of the humanOS.me newsletter! Here we will quickly highlight our work, any news and media that we find useful and interesting, and products that we like.
This Week’s Research Highlights
🧦 Bed socks on sleep
The results of the study showed that the group wearing bed socks fell asleep 7.5 minutes faster than the group without bed socks. They also slept an average of 32 more minutes and experienced 7.6% greater sleep efficiency, which is a measure of the percentage of time spent asleep while in bed. The study's findings suggest that increasing the temperature of the feet during sleep may improve sleep quality, as evidenced by the faster onset of sleep, longer duration of sleep, and greater sleep efficiency in the bed sock group. It is possible that the increase in foot temperature helped to promote relaxation and improve circulation, which are factors known to influence sleep quality. While the findings of this study are interesting, it is important to note that the study had a relatively small sample size and further research is needed to confirm these results. Additionally, wearing bed socks may not be feasible or comfortable for everyone, and other strategies for improving sleep quality may be more effective for some individuals.
🥐 Baking soda may help reduce rheumatoid arthritis.
According to the text, human subjects in the study were given a daily dose of 2 grams of sodium bicarbonate. The results of the study suggested that this dose of baking soda may help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is a common feature of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The mechanism by which baking soda may help to reduce inflammation is not entirely clear, but it is believed to be related to the pH-balancing properties of the compound. Baking soda is an alkaline substance that can help to neutralize the acid in the body, which may help to reduce inflammation and promote overall health. It is important to note that while the findings of this study are interesting, further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using baking soda as a treatment for autoimmune diseases. It is also important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatments or supplements, including baking soda.
🦠 Antibiotics in consumed animal products can actually affect our microbiota and perhaps our health.
The presence of agricultural antibiotics in individuals who have not taken antibiotics suggests that these antibiotics can be present in the animal products that we consume, and can potentially affect our microbiota and our health. The microbiota, or the collection of microorganisms that live in and on our bodies, plays an important role in maintaining our overall health and immune system function. The use of antibiotics in agriculture has been a topic of concern in recent years due to the potential impact on human health. The overuse of antibiotics in agriculture can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can make it more difficult to treat bacterial infections in humans. The findings of this study suggest that the use of antibiotics in agriculture may have unintended consequences on human health, including the potential to alter our microbiota and potentially contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings and to develop strategies to address this issue.
Podcasts We Loved This Week
- Manoush Zomorodi: Has Constant Stimulation Replaced Boredom? Via TED Radio Hour.
- Anil Seth: Perception as a Controlled Hallucination. Via Smart Drug Smarts.
- Michael Pollan: Freedom from the Known. Via the Waking Up Podcast with Sam Harris.
Products We Are Enjoying
Honeywell HT900E Turbo Fan.
Greg says: A cool, quiet bedroom helps you sleep well, so trying to sleep in a hot, noisy city in the summer can be tricky. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution. A good bedside fan aimed at your torso will help keep you cool and drown out sounds that could otherwise awake you from sleep. I’ve had this product for 18 months and it’s worth its weight in gold.
New Content by humanOS
- Blog: “Does Sparkling Water Make You Fatter?” By Ginny Robards.
humanOS Catalog Feature of the Week
Wishing you the best,
