In this episode of humanOS Radio, I speak with Jennifer Goldschmied. Jennifer has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan, and is currently faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research explores how altering aspects of sleep can produce changes in mood and emotional regulation, particularly in those with major depression but also in normal healthy folks. We know, for instance, that taking naps can boost elements of cognitive performance, even in well-rested people. To better understand how this works, Jennifer and her colleagues recruited 40 subjects, and had them complete a series of challenging computer tasks at the lab. The researchers then randomly assigned them to either take a 60 minute nap or watch a nature documentary for 60 minutes (control). Thereafter, the participants were asked to perform the computer tasks again. Those who had taken the one hour nap spent more time trying to solve the problem, compared to their non-napping counterparts, who seemed to be less able to endure the aggravation associated with the computer task. These findings suggest that just taking a nap - which is easy and costs nothing - may counteract impulsive behavior and enhance tolerance for frustration. This is something from which most of us could probably benefit, both in work and in other aspects of daily life, and this kind of research has actually motivated some progressive companies to invest in sleep pods. Sometimes, it really is better to work smarter, not harder. The idea that taking naps would enhance emotional regulation and perseverance probably sounds pretty intuitive to most of you. But here is where things get really interesting. Jennifer’s work has also led her to investigate a long-recognized but poorly understood clinical paradox: Certain individuals actually experience mood improvement in response to sleep loss. You read that right - total sleep deprivation has been shown to have antidepressant effects, and an estimated 40-60% of people with major depression may experience significant improvements in symptoms. But why is this the case? Who specifically benefits? And how can we take advantage of this strange phenomenon? To learn more about her fascinating research, and what is on the horizon for this work, check out the interview!