Mastering Memory Through Sleep - EP 8 w/ Dr. George Dragoi

Dr. George Dragoi is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven. He obtained his M.D. degree from the Grigore Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania, his Ph.D. degree in Behavioral and Neural Science from Rutgers University, and completed his postdoctoral studies at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT. Dr. Dragoi studies how sleep shapes memory using brain electrophysiology and computational analysis. Using advanced methods to look at how brain cells work together, he recently found that the brain might have a special way of organizing information, which could help us understand certain diseases better. His current work involves looking at how brain cells in animals form functional connections and learn from past experiences. By understanding these processes better, Dr. Dragoi hopes to uncover new insights into how the brain works and find treatments for neurological conditions.

In this episode, Ryan and Dr. George Dragoi discuss the relationship between sleep and memory. Dr. Dragoi shares insights from his research on how sleep optimizes memory consolidation through various brain mechanisms. They explore the different stages of sleep, the types of memories, and the impact of factors like age, sleep disorders, and technology use on memory processing. Dr. Dragoi also debunks common myths and offers practical tips for enhancing memory through sleep, highlighting innovative approaches and potential future research directions.