The Future of Health Is in Sleep—with Tara Youngblood of Chili Technology - EP125

Do you struggle to sleep through the night? How does that impact your health? Nighttime is when our bodies heal and recover. It’s when we flush out the stressors of the day. So, what can we do to enhance our natural sleep cycles and get the full benefit of a good night’s sleep?
Tara Youngblood is the Cofounder and Chief Scientist at Chili Technology, a company dedicated to the development of temperature-controlled sleep products. Since launching the ChiliPad in 2007, Tara has spent more than 10,000 hours studying the science of sleep. She authored the leading white paper exploring the benefits of cold therapy during sleep and is a highly-regarded international speaker on the topic. Tara leverages her background in physics and engineering to help shape the future of sleep-driven health, working to make sleep both easy and drug-free.
Today, Tara joins us to share the Chili Technology origin story and explain how the ChiliPad and OOLER products work. She explains the science behind core body temperature and quality sleep, citing Jerome Siegel’s research on hunter-gatherers, and walks us through the health benefits of using cold therapy while we sleep. Tara also discusses why the Chili team has elected not to make mattresses, pillows or cooling clothing, and she offers insight into the sleep cocoon she’s working on now. Listen in for Tara’s tips for getting optimal rest and learn why the future of health is in sleep!
Topics Covered [2:00] How well Tara sleeps
Challenge with four boys, travel
Track sleep to make best of situation
[3:22] The Chili Technology origin story
Desire to be comfortable during sleep
Different temperature than husband
[5:03] How the ChiliPad works
Use water to cool or heat
Adjust temperature between 55° and 110°F
[5:54] How the OOLER differs from the ChiliPad
ChiliPad functions as thermostat for bed
Program OOLER to change temperature through night
[7:11] The patents Tara holds through Chili Technology
Many for structure of pad itself, how it functions
Two for using temperature to enhance sleep cycles
[9:29] Jerome Siegel’s work on hunter-gatherer sleep
Light AND temperature have impact on sleep
Circadian rhythms follow temperature profile
[10:57] Why Chili Technology doesn’t make mattresses
Lifespan doesn’t match technology
Pad allows for flexibility, individual preference
[13:11] Why you wake up less during the night with ChiliPad
Core body temp wants to drop 2° in middle of night
Body gets hot, wake up (sign that something wrong)
[15:56] The health benefits of using the ChiliPad
Overall healing effects
Manage stress, oxygenate blood
Improve metabolism + circulation
[18:44] Why the future of health is in sleep
Stress flushed out by sleep
Autoimmune, chronic pain treatments at night
[21:07] What Tara is working on now
Reducing EMFs in bed while sleep
Protective cocoon as ideal space
[23:17] Chili Technology’s expansion
Europe and Australian markets
Subtle bed size differences, cords
[24:29] Why it’s difficult to create cooling clothing
Electronics tethered to body create EMF field
Need power to cool core (portability challenge)
[27:06] Why Chili Technology doesn’t make pillows
Core body temperature controls sleep switch
Want to push circulation back toward core
[29:29] Tara’s tips for getting optimal sleep
Outside before 9am to trigger circadian rhythm
Meditate + journal to manage stress
Exercise and drink lots of water
Eat two hours before bed
Shut down electronics 30 minutes before bed
[33:01] Tara’s top tip for Ali Fitness listeners
Journey to better health starts with tiny habits
Learn More About Tara Youngblood Chili Technology
Chili on Facebook
Discount Code ALIFITNESS25
Resources Tara’s White Paper on Cold Therapy & Sleep
Clifford Saper’s Research on the Sleep Switch
Jerome Siegel’s Research on Hunter-Gatherer Sleep
Oura Ring
Tiny Habits with BJ Fogg
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
James Clear on Ali Fitness EP097