Scott Alexander conducts a personal randomized controlled trial of a sleep supplement, finding no significant effect over placebo, but gains insights into his sleep patterns. Longer summary

Scott Alexander conducts a personal randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a sleep supplement called Sleep Support. Initially, he experiences a dramatic improvement in his sleep patterns, but decides to rigorously test this effect. He designs an experiment using placebo pills and blind administration over 24 nights. Surprisingly, the results show no significant difference between the Sleep Support and placebo nights in terms of sleep duration, wake-up time, or subjective measures. Scott concludes that his initial perceived improvement was likely due to the placebo effect and the act of not checking the clock upon waking. Despite the supplement not outperforming placebo, Scott considers the experiment a success as it led to improved sleep habits. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores research on how high indoor CO2 levels may impair cognition and sleep, suggesting simple solutions like better ventilation. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses recent research on the effects of high indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) levels on cognitive function and sleep quality. He describes how his housemates discovered high CO2 levels in their home and improved their symptoms by increasing ventilation. The post explores studies showing cognitive impairment at high CO2 levels and the potential impact on sleep quality. Scott suggests that nighttime CO2 levels in bedrooms can be particularly high and may affect sleep. He recommends simple solutions like opening windows or using certain plants to reduce CO2 levels. The post ends with a call for readers to participate in an informal experiment on nighttime air quality. Shorter summary