In The Promise of Sleep, world-renowned sleep authority William C. Dement, M.D., offers the definitive look into this unexplored but vital part of our lives, giving readers the information they need to reclaim their birthright to a good night's sleep. Drawing on his decades of experience on the frontiers of sleep science, Dr. Dement explains what happens when we sleep, taking readers on a remarkably lively tour of the sleeping body and mind. We learn of sleep's surprisingly powerful effect on our overall health, from our immune system to our psychological well-being, and see first-hand the many ways in which sleep loss and sleep deprivation can put us in harm's way, inhibit our motivation and creativity, and rob us of the vitality that makes life worth living. And he shows how the sleep awareness to be gained from such insight can be our society's most powerful weapon to combat the sleep deprivation epidemic that costs untold lives and resources each year.

Sharing wisdom gained through years of sleep lab experience, Dr. Dement gives hands-on advice on how to get the sleep we need, addressing such popular topics as: sleep disorders and their cures; the role of prescription and over-the-counter sleeping aids; recovery from jet lag and other temporary obstacles to a healthy sleep life; the power of naps; and more. He also offers his seven principles of healthy sleep, and tells readers how they can discover their own "sleep point" and learn how much sleep they truly need.

As insightful as Listening to Prozac, inspiring as Spontaneous Healing, and empowering as The Gift of Fear, The Promise of Sleep illuminates the little-understood "forgotten third" of our lives, and gives us the tools we need to unlock its abundant gifts for the rest of our lives.

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"We are a sleep-sick society," says William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D. According to Dr. Dement, "sleep science" has yielded a great deal of scientific knowledge about sleep--yet the general public, and even doctors, aren't aware of it. Sleep disorders are routinely misdiagnosed or ignored, sometimes resulting in medical tragedy and death, frequently leading to chronic exhaustion. In The Promise of Sleep, Dr. Dement aims to remedy that by making the latest sleep information accessible to health professionals and lay readers. He describes the sleep cycle and gives a short history of sleep research. Then he dives into clear and detailed explanations of concepts and conditions we've all heard about, but that few of us understand: sleep debt, biological clock, circadian rhythm, insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy. He discusses why we need sleep (sounds obvious, but it isn't) and the role of dreams. After 300 pages of sleep facts, Dr. Dement teaches you how to "reclaim healthy sleep" in your own life. You learn to assess your personal sleep situation by keeping a sleep diary, measuring your sleep debt, and evaluating your risk of sleep disorders; find appropriate treatment; manage sleep crises; and adopt a "sleep-smart lifestyle." A three-week "sleep camp" program at the end helps you put all the strategies together. This book will put you to sleep--and that's meant as praise! --Joan Price

From the Back Cover
"Lively...extremely helpful...unlocks the secrets of a good night's sleep."
--San Francisco Chronicle

"An outstanding book on a surprisingly overlooked subject."
--Publishers Weekly

"Authoritative."
--USA Today

"A wake-up call about the profound effects of sleep and its disorders."
--Science News

An Alternate Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author
William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., is the world's leading authority on sleep, sleep deprivation, and the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. In 1970 he founded the world's first sleep disorders center at Stanford University. In 1975 he launched the American Sleep Disorders Association and served as president for its first twelve years. Each year since 1971 he has taught the popular "Sleep and Dreams" course at Stanford University and has written the first undergraduate textbook in the field. He was also chairman of the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, whose final report led directly to the creation of a new agency within the National Institutes of Health, the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research. He lives with his family in northern California.

Christopher Vaughan is the author of How Life Begins: The Science of Life in the Womb, named as one of the best books of 1996 by the National Association of Libraries. He lives in Palo Alto, California, with his wife and two children.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Keywords: The Promise of Sleep: A Pioneer in Sleep Medicine Explains the Vital Connection Between Health, Happiness, and a Good Night's Sleep, Books, William C. Dement, Christopher Vaughan, Sleep, Popular works, Sleep disorders, Personal Health, Diet / Health / Fitness, Health & Fitness, Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain), General