Apollo Neuro Solution to Beat Stress, Achieve Better Sleep in World Sleep Day

Sleep is one of the most essential functions for the survival of every species. Unfortunately, the presence of social media, constant greed for obtaining new information, and the need for productivity lead to augmented stress, impacting our sleep schedules and quality of sleep. 

To fight stress, we often pick up habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, overusing coffee breaks as an escape, using substances such as Cannabis, or even throwing ourselves into the microdosing quotidian.

Despite the benefits of these compounds, plenty of these substances and behaviors reduce the quality of sleep even further. Let’s check Cannabis, for example.

THC, the predominant alkaloid in Cannabis Sativa strains, has been shown to decrease sleep latency and decrease total sleep with long-term use. When combined with CBD, it presents a decrease in N3 sleep. 

 

 

 

Contrary to THC, consuming CBD alone is shown to increase total sleep percentage with mid to high dosages in rat models. Additionally, CBD is proven to have a positive effect on anxiety-related REM sleep suppression but no effect in the NREM phase.

When we analyze users who consume microdoses of MDMA or consume other amphetamine derivatives for mood enhancement, as an energy booster, and to increase focus, we also notice similar sleep disturbances and altered sleep architecture. On top of that, MDMA users are more likely to experience sleep apnea (pauses in breathing) and hypopneas (overly shallow or slow breathing).

Just like amphetamines, stimulants such as coffee, the most used psychoactive compound worldwide, and similar caffeine-containing beverages such as green and black tea and energy drinks disrupt our sleep patterns. If taken 6 hours before bedtime, those compounds can reduce total sleep time by 45 minutes and sleep efficiency by 7%.

However, some psychedelics have shown to be exceptions. For example, Psilocybin therapy has shown that the antidepressant potential of psilocybin may have a role in sleep regulation.

The consumption of Ayahuasca in the daytime can significantly affect sleep parameters, especially in the brain mechanisms responsible for modulating REM and SWS. 

LSD may increase sleep duration. In the phase 1 randomized controlled trial, the group who had consumed the substance had an additional 24.3 minutes of sleep per night compared to the placebo group.  

Ketamine studies have shown that the compound has a significant impact on sleep. Two studies showed a decrease in night wakings and an increase in SWS and REM sleep.

 

(Note: We don’t incentivize you to take any of these substances to help with any pre-existing sleep problem. These are studies made and accompanied by health professionals. In case of persistent insomnia, we advise you to seek medical attention. Stay safe!

Still, on the subject of psychoactive compounds, withdrawals of substances such as alcohol, opiates, and sedatives can be accompanied by insomnia and low sleep quality due to increased anxiety.

Low sleep quality in the body is far-reaching, impacting various systems and functions, ranging from cognitive performance to immune response. 

 

 

 

Stick around to find out the specific effects of low sleep quality. 

 

Central Nervous System (CNS):

Low sleep quality disrupts the pathways between nerve cells in the brain, affecting memory formation, concentration, and learning ability. Sleep deprivation leads to exhaustion of the brain, impeding its functions, resulting in decreased coordination, increased risk of accidents, and compromised mental capabilities, including decision-making and creativity. 

Lack of sleep might also affect your mental health, increasing your anxiety and making you more prone to depression and paranoia.  

 

Immune System:

During sleep, the immune system produces substances crucial for fighting infection, making us more vulnerable to illnesses and delaying recovery. 

 

Respiratory System:

Disorders like obstructive sleep apnea can disrupt sleep and lower its quality, increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections and exacerbating existing respiratory conditions.

 

Digestive System:

Sleep deprivation affects hormone levels, regulating hunger and fullness, increasing appetite, and overeating. It also reduces energy levels for exercise, contributing to weight gain. Additionally, it affects insulin production and glucose tolerance, increasing the risk of diabetes and obesity.

 

Cardiovascular System:

Sleep plays a role in maintaining heart health and regulating blood sugar, pressure, and inflammation levels. Insufficient sleep is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. 

 

Endocrine System:

Hormone production, including testosterone and growth hormone, is dependent on sleep. Interruptions in sleep patterns can affect hormone levels, impairing growth, muscle mass development, and tissue repair.

 

So, what solutions do we have to fight stress and anxiety that won’t disrupt our sleep patterns? 

 

If we deep dive into social media, most health-related influencers will try to sell you practices such as meditation and breathwork. 

Today, we have plenty of apps and guided videos on how to meditate, the different techniques, and various soundtracks proven to relax our minds. In those videos, they will guide you to adjust your breathing, how to work through your thoughts, or how to interpret physical sensations.

As for breathwork, a Simple breathing technique named 4-7-8 breathing is usually the most common. 

The counting sequence gently focuses the mind on the breath, which can help ease worries or other troubling thoughts.

Get comfortable in bed and then follow these steps:

• • Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.

• • Hold your breath for 7 seconds.

• • Exhale through your mouth for 8 seconds.

• • Repeat this four times.

Although science backs up the veracity of those methods to regulate stress, anxiety, and better sleep patterns, those methods require time and practice. 

For this reason, Apollo Neuro released its own Wearable. This wearable addresses the root of stress and anxiety, the nervous system. 

To examine Apollo Neuro’s effect on sleep and cardiovascular function, the Apollo Neuroscience team initiated a remote observational study examining Apollo Neuro users’ cardiovascular and sleep quality metrics measured by Oura Ring (Ōura Health Ltd., Oulu, Finland) health tracking device. 

Through analysis of this trove of sleep data, rarely available at such high volumes and in real-world settings, we can observe trends in sleep from Apollo users to include deep sleep scores, REM sleep scores, overall sleep score, total sleep duration, and cardiovascular metrics like resting, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV).

While Apollo is still collecting data, the preliminary analysis turned up statistically significant, presenting a higher quality of sleep.

• • Up to 19% increase in deep sleep

• • Up to 14% increase in REM sleep

• • Up to 6% increase in total sleep time

• • Up to 11% increase in HRV

• • Up to 4% decrease in resting heart rate

 

 

Now, you might be questioning yourself. How can a bracelet help me with stress, anxiety, and sleep? 

Apollo Neuro works as touch therapy by delivering gentle, soothing vibrations, called Apollo Vibes, like music your body can feel. Higher vibrations improve your energy and focus, while lower vibrations reduce stress and help you relax to fall asleep. 

Users can control Apollo Neuro via a mobile app to select different modes tailored to their goals. 

Learn more about Apollo Neuro at: