Sleep is as vital as food and water when it comes to your health. Both body and mind require it for optimal function, and without it, both dissipate. That’s one point agreed upon by the 7 experts we interviewed, together drawing from nearly 15 ancient and modern health and medical disciplines.

In a culture fighting to stay awake, Red Bulls and triple shot red eyes may seem a man’s best friend, but what if the vitality of your waking life was dependent upon that of your sleeping and dreaming life? BeWellBuzz hand-picked these 7 dynamic thinkers, experts, leaders of their field to talk about sleep and give us a comprehensive view of why sleep is crucial, why so many are deprived and may not even realize it, and how we can get back on track for optimal health and productivity.