The Science of Sleep: Dr. Jessica Lunsford-Avery on the Adolescent Brain & Mental Health

How much does sleep really shape the way we think, feel, and function?In this episode of Her Path to Success, I speak with Dr. Jessica Lunsford-Avery, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University, whose research explores the connections between sleep, mental health, cognition, and psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents.We discuss the science behind sleep and circadian rhythms, why adolescence is such an important period for sleep and brain development, and how disrupted sleep can intersect with conditions such as ADHD and other mental health challenges. Dr. Lunsford-Avery also shares her path into psychiatry and research, what continues to drive her questions as a scientist, and advice for students interested in neuroscience, psychology, and medicine.This conversation is a reminder that something we do every single night can offer a fascinating window into the brain, and into our overall well-being.