Sleep Optimization, Recovery, & Performance with Dr. Kirk Parsley

Dr. Kirk Parsley has a remarkable background, joining the Navy
SEALs straight out of high school at just 17 years old. During
his SEALs tenure, he spent a decade living at the pinnacle of
physical and mental health. Later, he pursued a medical career,
graduating in 2004 and interning in obstetrics and gynecology,
followed by a Navy residency in hyperbarics and diving medicine.


In this episode, Dr. Parsley explores the profound impact of
sleep on various aspects of our lives. They discuss its influence
on exercise performance, appetite, food choices, cardiovascular
health, and insulin resistance. The conversation also delves into
menopause, perimenopausal sleep-related changes, and hormonal
considerations. Dr. Parsley and Dr. Stephanie share their
thoughts on the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and discuss key
hormones like testosterone, progesterone, and estrogens.


Additionally, the episode explores common sleep remedies and Dr.
Parsley's natural supplementation solutions found at
https://docparsley.com/stephanie-estima/


Bio:


Kirk is certified in Hyperbaric Medicine, Anti-Aging Medicine,
Hormone Replacement Therapy, and is currently pursuing national
certification in Psychedelic Medicine Therapies. He dedicates a
significant portion of his time to advising non-profit
organizations that support the SEAL community and providing
healthcare guidance and treatment to veterans. Operating his
practice and supplement business from Austin, Texas, Kirk is an
avid outdoorsman and fitness enthusiast. When he's not working or
working out, you can usually find him in nature, continuously
enhancing his medical skills.


Resources mentioned:


Website: https://docparsley.com


Free Stressless Sleep Guide:
https://docparsley.com/stephanie-estima/


https://www.instagram.com/kirkparsley/


https://www.instagram.com/sleepremedy/


https://www.linkedin.com/in/docparsley/


https://www.facebook.com/DocParsley/


https://www.youtube.com/@docparsley418/


Episode Overview:


0:00 Intro


0:04:13 Dr. Parsley's expertise in sleep physiology


0:07:17 Sleep as repair and preparation for the body


0:12:58 Lack of sleep affects cognition, emotions, and mental
health


0:17:12 The fight or flight response and its effects


0:25:33 Regulating appetite hormones and fuel partitioning


0:26:29 Sleep cycle: repair, transformation, and memory
consolidation


0:35:35 The impact of an overactive amygdala


0:43:21 Evening rituals for better sleep


0:47:18 Components of sleep rituals: light, GABA, and temperature


0:51:11 Creating a to-do and to-worry list before bed


0:54:37 Sleep changes and menopause


0:59:02 Insulin and blood glucose: impact on hunger and stress


1:02:09 Interactions between hormones and the complexity of
hormone replacement therapy


1:08:07 The WHI's impact on women's health and hormone
replacement therapy


1:16:24 The impact of muscle mass on sleep


1:23:07 The drawbacks of Z-drugs for insomnia treatment


1:26:07 The dangers of using sleep drugs like Ambien and alcohol


1:29:27 The negative effects of sleep drugs on sleep quality


1:31:34 From SEAL doctor to sleep expert


1:35:02 Ambien and the discovery of sleep issues


1:38:42 Creating a sleep supplement for the SEAL teams


1:42:28 Tea vs. capsules: absorption and dosage


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