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The 'sleepmaxxing' trend: What advice you should trust. ”Sleepmaxxing" is becoming increasingly popular on TikTok, with hundreds of videos offering tips, routines and products which aim to help improve sleep. The trend has led to countless tips and tricks for maximising sleep, but not all of them are based on fact. Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, provides guidance on the most popular "sleepmaxxing" trends and highlights the potential risks and benefits of each. Magnesium supplements Magnesium has long been touted as a key supplement for improving sleep quality.“Magnesium may help those who are deficient, as it plays a role in muscle relaxation and calming the nervous system. However, there is a lack of evidence for its sleep benefits. Not everyone needs additional magnesium, and taking too much can lead to digestive issues like diarrhoea or nausea.” Mouth-taping for snoring Taping your mouth shut has been promoted as a way to stop snoring because it forces you to breathe through your nose. ”The concept behind mouth-taping is that breathing through the nose reduces snoring and improves sleep quality," the expert explains. "However, there's little evidence to back this up, and for people with conditions like sleep apnoea - where breathing stops momentarily during sleep - it can be very dangerous.” White noise If you find it hard to fall asleep, you may have been recommended a white noise machine, which produces constant background sounds. ”While white noise may help some people fall asleep faster, particularly in noisy environments. There is no need to invest in high-end machines that cost hundreds of pounds. A fan, or a mobile app, can achieve the same result,” Day states, stressing that white noise is "not a cure-all for everyone's sleep issues”. Sleep trackers Finally, many people have been sold on sleep trackers, which collect data while you snooze, including how long you slept and whether you woke up during the night. ”Sleep trackers can provide interesting insights into your sleep habits, they are not medical devices and shouldn't be relied upon for diagnosing sleep disorders," he advises. ”Many of these devices measure movements rather than brain activity, so they can't accurately diagnose issues like insomnia or sleep apnoea. However, they can be a useful tool to track long-term patterns and help you start a conversation with a doctor about any concerns.”
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