The Art Of Sleeping: Techniques To Improve The Quality Of Your Sleep With Dr. MartoneThe Art Of Sleeping: Techniques To Improve The Quality Of Your Sleep With Dr. Martone
I Love Being Sober
Tim Westbrook and Dr Peter Martoni talk about how sleep posture, spinal alignment and brain function relate to addiction and recovery. The conversation shares practical ways to adjust sleep, movement and lifestyle habits to support a healthier, more focused sober life.
56:30•28 Dec 2021
Sleeping Smarter: Dr Sleep Right on Brains, Backs and Addiction
Episode Overview
- Sleep posture and back sleeping with neck support can reduce pain and support healthier spinal alignment.
- Strengthening the vermis through balance work, such as wobble boards, may help the prefrontal cortex and decision-making.
- Regular movement and avoiding excessive sitting are important to prevent brain and body atrophy.
- Choosing fewer gluten-heavy carbohydrates and more fat-based energy can support steadier brain function.
- Tracking heart rate variability can help gauge whether someone is getting enough restorative sleep.
“Your brain works the same way. You have learned neurological patterns that the longer you've been doing that for, the tougher it is to divert the river.”
How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober? This conversation between Tim Westbrook and chiropractor Dr Peter Martoni shows how something as simple as sleep can play a huge role in that answer. You'll hear Dr Martoni – also known as Dr Sleep Right – explain why sleep posture, not just sleep duration, can shape the spine and brain over time.
He shares how years of back pain and a herniated disc led him to review 2,000 x-rays and realise, "I didn't have a back problem all these years. I had a sleeping issue." From there, he built his methods for what he calls the art of sleeping. The chat links sleep, spinal alignment and brain function directly to addiction.
Dr Martoni breaks down concepts like the vermis and prefrontal cortex, describing the addictive brain as a "Ferrari with bicycle brakes" that needs more "spin" to stay focused. Simple tools like a wobble board, regular movement, and back sleeping with neck support are presented as practical ways to strengthen those brain "brakes" and support better decision-making. For anyone in recovery, the episode reinforces that long-term change isn't just about stopping substances; it's about building healthy lifestyle habits.
Sleep, movement, and even diet (less gluten-heavy carbs, more fat for cleaner brain fuel) are framed as everyday choices that can quietly support sobriety. Tim also shares his own experiences with ADHD traits, adrenaline seeking, and thyroid medication, giving Dr Martoni plenty of real-life material to respond to. The tone stays friendly and down-to-earth, mixing science with relatable examples and a few laughs about balance boards and snoring.
If you're sober or aiming for it and suspect your sleep might be sabotaging your progress, this episode offers practical ideas and a reassuring reminder: there's nothing "wrong" with you – you just might need to build better brakes for a very fast brain. What small shift in your sleep routine could you try tonight?
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