Japanese man sleeps just 30 minutes a day: Can the brain function ...

A Japanese entrepreneur, Daisuke Hori, claims to have optimised his life by sleeping only 30 minutes every day for the past 12 years. Here's what experts have to say about Hori's extreme sleep schedule and whether this kind of sleep pattern is attainable.

Daisuke Hori has been sleeping only for 30 minutes every day for the last 12 years. (Photo: Daisuke Hori/X)

For more than a decade, a Japanese man slept for just 30 minutes every day and still functioned at an optimal level. Daisuke Hori, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from Hyogo, Japan, has claimed that he has been sleeping for just half an hour daily for the last 12 years.

Hori claimed that he has trained his brain and body to function normally with minimal sleep and never feels tired.

It started with him cutting back on sleep 12 years ago to get more time to stay active every day. Gradually, he managed to reduce his sleep time to only 30 to 45 minutes a day.

"As long as you do sports or drink coffee an hour before eating, you can stave off drowsiness," he told South China Morning Post.

While most experts say that an individual needs 6 to 8 hours of sleep every day, Hori claims that his unique approach has boosted his work efficiency and focus.

He even conducts workshops on sleep and health at the Japan Short Sleepers Training Association, an organisation he founded in 2016.

Hori asserts that high-quality sleep is more important than sleep duration. "People who need sustained focus in their work benefit more from high-quality sleep than long sleep. For instance, doctors and firefighters have shorter rest periods but maintain high efficiency," he said.

Till now, Hori has taught around 2,100 students to become ultra-short sleepers.

While the phenomenon has sparked discussion online, here's what experts have to say about Hori's extreme sleep schedule and whether this kind of sleep pattern is attainable.

CAN THE BRAIN FUNCTION AFTER 30 MINUTES OF SLEEP PER DAY?

According to Dr Prasanna Kumar T, Consultant Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, sleep need varies significantly among individuals and across the lifespan.

"While most adults need to sleep for 6 to 8 hours per night, some individuals may be short sleepers requiring less than 6 hours per night without the need to catch up on sleep to feel refreshed," Dr Kumar told IndiaToday.in.

Extremely less sleep can cause chronic sleep deprivation, which affects memory, weakened immunity, mood disorders and even heart problems.

Dr Sachin D, Consultant Clinical and Interventional Pulmonology, Critical care and Sleep disorders, Kauvery Hospitals said that a person can survive with ultra-short sleep "but at the cost of severe mental and physical stress."

"Several coping mechanisms are adopted to shorten sleep, like with the help of caffeine and distraction techniques," said Dr Sachin.

Though the experts said that it is extremely questionable if getting just 30 minutes of sleep each day is beneficial, "trying to sleep so little can be more harmful to most individuals than beneficial."

"Sleep is essential for emotional control, cognitive function, memory consolidation, and physical healing. Although Mr Hori may have gradually trained his body, it is unlikely that others who attempt to follow similar sleep patterns will benefit in the long run due to the unknown consequences," advised Dr Kumar.

Experts agree that some people may naturally require less sleep, and their bodies can function well in less than the average 7 to 9 hours recommended.

However, sleeping only 30 minutes a day is extreme, and it is unlikely that many people can maintain this without adverse effects.

Studies have consistently shown that insufficient sleep is associated with a higher risk of mortality and reduced quality of life. While some individuals might temporarily adapt to reduced sleep, the long-term implications could be harmful.

ARE SHORT SLEEPERS GAINING MORE HEALTH BENEFITS?

While each person has "different requirements" when it comes to sleep, it is generally not a good idea to substantially reduce sleep since this can have adverse effects on both physical and mental health.

"A brief sleep period cannot provide the restorative benefits of a full sleep cycle, which includes essential REM (rapid eye movement) and deep sleep stages," Dr Kumar cautioned.

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to numerous health issues, such as impaired cognitive function, weakened immune response, and increased risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular morbidity, which includes myocardial infarction, hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke.

It also causes mental health problems like depression, anxiety, low energy, irritability, loss of libido, poor judgement and other psychological dysfunctions, causing impaired cognitive abilities, accidents and workplace errors, and poor quality of life.

Sleep deprivation is also associated with immunodeficiency, in which the ability to fight infections decreases.

Sleep experts and health organisations, such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Sleep Foundation, consistently advocate for 7 to 9 hours of sleep for adults.

"This range is based on extensive research showing that it is optimal for most people's health and well-being," said Dr Kumar.

Dr Sachin quoted a UK study that showed that chronic sleep deprivation is associated with a 20% increase in heart attack risk. It was also associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, with an added risk for diabetes.

He added that while this trend of "long-term ultra-low sleep duration lasting for 30 to 90 minutes per day" claims to have more benefits, it can be dangerous to many individuals.

Concentrate on having a good quality sleep daily, which could be from 6 to 7 hours, the expert said.

There is no peer-reviewed study that claims that an ultra-short sleep cycle like 30 minutes daily could double lifespan.