In an interview with the infamous Joe Rogan, American comedian Matt Rife shared that he once went 9 days straight without sleep due to a severe bout of insomnia. Joe Rogan responded with disbelief, saying, “I don’t think it’s even possible.”
Matt clarified that doing his research, he discovered that if he had gone 13 days without sleep, he would have been facing death. None of the traditional remedies, like herbal medicine or melatonin, worked for him. In fact, the comedian admitted to “OD’ing on melatonin,” taking a staggering 30 mg.
The young comedian elaborated that in order to even “have a chance to fall asleep,” he has to smoke marijuana every night. Matt believes that he hasn’t experienced REM sleep (it plays a crucial role in memory consolidation and emotional regulation) in the last five years.
However, while most people see insomnia as a curse, Matt Rife has managed to turn it into one of his comedic superpowers. His sleepless nights often serve as the birthplace for new material, as his restless mind wanders into realms of absurdity.
“The best ideas come when I’m lying in bed at 3 a.m., wondering if I’ve offended a ghost or something,” Rife joked during one of his stand-up routines.
But as funny as Rife can make it sound, insomnia does take its toll. He has admitted that his sleeplessness affects both his mental and physical health. “I joke about it on stage, but man, insomnia sucks. You feel like a zombie sometimes,” he said in a podcast episode.
Matt has gained a reputation as one of the edgiest comedians on the scene today, with an abundance of charm and an undeniable mastery of crowd work. His Netflix special Natural Selection is a must-watch to witness his comedic talent.
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