Imagine sleeping only 30 minutes a day for over a decade and still functioning effectively. This is the extraordinary claim of Daisuke Hori, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from Hyogo, Japan, who has adhered to this extreme sleep schedule for the past 12 years.
Moreover, Hori views this minimal sleep routine as a means to “double” his life, despite conventional wisdom recommending 6-8 hours of sleep for optimal health.
Hori’s approach includes unconventional methods, such as engaging in sports or drinking coffee an hour before meals to combat drowsiness. His lifestyle has garnered significant interest, leading to a Japan’s Yomiuri TV reality show that documented his life for three days.
The show highlighted an instance where Hori slept for just 26 minutes, then went about his day with energy, including work and gym sessions.
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Hori continues to promote his short-sleeping methods through the Japan Short Sleepers Training Association, challenging established sleep science. Dr. Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, MBBS, MD, a general physician, warns of the severe long-term health risks associated with such minimal sleep.
According to Dr. Reddy, consistent sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function, lead to memory loss, and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Lack of sleep also affects the production of cytokines, crucial for fighting infections and inflammation, and can result in cardiovascular issues, hormonal imbalances, and mood disorders.
Furthermore, Dr. Reddy highlights that extreme sleep reduction is not sustainable, as it disrupts critical sleep stages necessary for restorative processes. While practices like exercise and caffeine consumption may temporarily boost alertness, they cannot replace the restorative benefits of adequate sleep.
