People who are always tired told not to follow ‘worrying’ sleep hack

The internet is full of useful hacks, tips and tricks that promise everything from no scrub cleaning to thicker hair overnight. But there is one hack that has experts concerned for people’s safety.

If you struggle to get a good night’s sleep, you’ve likely looked up how to fall asleep faster and stay that way. One of the methods that has taken the internet by storm is mouth taping – sealing your mouth shut overnight to force you to breathe through your nose. This method promises you’ll sleep better and wake up more well rested – but experts are warning this could be extremely dangerous for some people.

Aaron M Fuhrman, founder and CEO of Sleeplay, a sleep therapy company specialising in CPAP equipment, said: “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.”

This condition is sleep apnoea. According to the Royal College of Nursing more than 2.5 million people in the UK likely have this condition but are completely unaware of it.

If you are suffering from sleep apnoea and decide to try this mouth taping hack, the consequences can be disastrous.

Breathing disruptions can worsen, leading to more frequent oxygen drops and sleep disturbances. Although for some people it can really work, if you have sleep apnoea, mouth taping can be the worst thing for your health.

If your nose can’t keep up and your mouth is sealed, your blood oxygen can drop to scary-low levels. Over time, this can lead to increased risks to cardiovascular and neurological health.

Aaron said: “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 apnea. In his case, mouth taping may have delayed proper diagnosis and put him at greater risk.”

If you suspect you have sleep apnoea, the best thing you can do for your health is see your GP.

Aaron said: “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.”