A viral TikTok trend promising to help people fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed is causing significant concern among sleep professionals, who warn the technique could pose serious health risks.
The 'Genuinely Worrying' Viral Sleep Hack
The internet is filled with countless life hacks and quick fixes, from cleaning shortcuts to beauty transformations. However, one particular sleep-related trend has experts expressing genuine alarm about potential dangers to public wellbeing.
For those struggling with sleep issues, the search for solutions often leads to various techniques circulating online. One method that has gained substantial traction involves mouth taping - essentially sealing the lips overnight to encourage nasal breathing.
Why Experts Are Sounding the Alarm
While proponents claim this approach leads to better sleep and more refreshed mornings, sleep specialists caution that it could prove extremely hazardous for certain individuals.
Aaron M Fuhrman, founder and CEO of sleep therapy firm Sleeplay, expressed his concern: "I'm genuinely worried every time I see one of these videos. People think they're being proactive about their health, but what they're really doing is taping over a potentially serious medical condition."
That condition is sleep apnoea, which the Royal College of Nursing estimates affects over 2.5 million people in the UK who remain completely unaware they have it.
The Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea symptoms include:
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Gasping, snorting or choking noises
- Frequent waking throughout the night
- Loud snoring
- Extreme tiredness and poor concentration during daytime hours
Left untreated, this condition can lead to more serious health complications including:
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk of stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Depression or mood changes
Why Mouth Taping Can Be Dangerous
For individuals with undiagnosed sleep apnoea, attempting the mouth taping trend could have catastrophic consequences. Breathing disruptions may worsen significantly, leading to more frequent oxygen drops and increased sleep disturbances.
While the technique might prove effective for some, for those with sleep apnoea, mouth taping could be the worst possible approach to sleep improvement. If nasal breathing becomes insufficient and the mouth remains sealed, blood oxygen levels can plummet to dangerously low readings.
Over extended periods, this oxygen deprivation can heighten risks to both cardiovascular and neurological health, creating potentially serious long-term consequences.
Real-Life Experiences Highlight the Risks
Fuhrman shared concerning accounts from individuals who tried the trend: "I've had customers speak to me after trying this trend and reporting terrifying experiences. One person woke up ripping the tape off, gasping for air, thinking he was going to die. That's when he finally came in for a proper sleep study and found out he had severe sleep apnoea. In his case, mouth taping may have delayed proper diagnosis and put him at greater risk."
The Proper Path to Better Sleep
If you suspect you might have sleep apnoea, medical professionals strongly advise consulting your GP rather than attempting viral trends.
Fuhrman acknowledged the appeal of quick fixes: "I get why people try mouth taping. It's cheap, it's easy, and TikTok makes it look like a miracle cure. But no viral trend is a substitute for proper diagnosis and treatment. Get tested, get treated, and sleep the way nature intended."
The message from sleep experts is clear: while internet trends may offer appealing shortcuts, proper medical assessment remains essential for addressing sleep issues safely and effectively.
