Discussion: Getting better sleep

The current CES show in Las Vegas featured a keynote by UnderArmour's CEO, in which he mentioned UA's new Athletic Recovery Sleepwear.

.....The key is the print on the inside of the Athlete Recovery Sleepwear, which leverages the power of Far Infrared [which] is a type of energy on the infrared spectrum that has several benefits for the human body. TB12 technology was developed to harness it even when you’re resting. The soft bioceramic print on the inside of the garment absorbs the body’s natural heat and reflects Far Infrared back to the skin. This helps your body recover faster, promotes better sleep, reduces inflammation, and regulates cell metabolism....

The sleepwear is not cheap; a top and bottom could cost you over $200. But if it delivers even half of its claimed benefits, and solves insomnia, it could be a very good investment. Has anyone tried it?

Sounds like a load of bollocks!

Mike, bro, seriously, it's all about the TB12

I don't know about promoting sleep, but I own several Back on Track items (shirt, knee brace, neck brace) which work on the same concept and sleep in them for pain relief purposes. They work for that. I notice a huge difference the next day if I don't use them. I also take the knee brace with me sometimes to use right after running. These products have been around for years and are big in the equestrian community as they also make items for horses and dogs. There have been many studies done to show the inflammation reducing effect of far infrared.

For better sleep related to being able to lie comfortably in various positions, I'd suggest Awareness Through Movement lessons. Improve your own ability to lie comfortably, rather than improving your clothing. I wonder whether a warm blanket does what their sleepwear claims to do.

FIR does seem to improve blood flow, improve wound healing time, and reduce inflammation. A study in mice showed increased capillary and micro-capillary growth with FIR treatment.

The one exercise recovery specific study that I found did not report much of a recovery benefit with FIR. But if you happen to have a -100C (yes, minus 100C) whole body cryogenic chamber handy....

UA cites this paper to support their claims.

From an Article in TIME:

Michael Hamblin, principal investigator at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, says that it’s reasonable to expect a garment emitting far infrared energy to help sleep. While no literature directly links far infrared exposure to sleep performance, anecdotal evidence, says Hamblin, supports Under Armour’s contention. The science has shown that far infrared energy does indeed improve long-term pain, help blood flow, and improve muscle recovery. “People who use far infrared can expect various benefits,” says Hamblin. “And better sleep is almost certainly one of them.”

I think I'll wait for the product reviews.

If I want better sleep, I just kick Tash out into the spare room.

If I want better sleep I just snore a little and then I get ALL of the bed.

Best one-two act I have read on AP in a while.

My water bed provides all the FIR (i.e. regular heat) I need...

I depend on a chi latte just before bed.

How do I find pictures of the mouse pajamas?

No concerned citizen can sleep well these days. Before going to sleep, I always check under the bed to see if a spy is hiding there.

Check on top of the bed, too.