Health ministry, experts caution against viral ‘six-second sleep’ trend

2026-03-09 - 12:24

The health ministry is warning against the ‘six-second sleep trend’, which involves applying pressure to the neck until a person loses consciousness. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR: A viral “six-second sleep” therapy circulating on social media could pose serious health risks – and may even lead to death, the health ministry has warned. Responding to a query from MyCheck Malaysia, the ministry said the so-called “sleep” involved in the method is not actual sleep. Instead, it involves applying pressure to the neck until a person loses consciousness due to a lack of oxygen reaching the brain. “Such procedures can lead to significant medical complications including sudden fainting, stroke, carotid artery injury, arrhythmia, cerebral hypoxia, permanent brain injury, seizures, and even death,” the ministry said. It added that there is no scientific or medical evidence supporting the effectiveness of the method, which is promoted online by self-proclaimed healers. MyCheck Malaysia is a fact-checking initiative by Bernama aimed at promoting media literacy and combating misinformation. Among the claims circulating online are that the “six-second sleep” therapy can supposedly “reset” the brain, relieve stress and remove negative energy from the body. Videos online show individuals appearing to be briefly “put to sleep” after someone presses certain points on their neck, shoulder or the back of the neck. Moments later, the person regains consciousness – often looking startled, confused or disoriented. According to the ministry, the phenomenon is medically known as induced convulsive syncope, a form of fainting accompanied by seizure-like movements caused by a sudden disruption of oxygen supply to the brain. The health ministry stressed that the therapy is not recognised by any medical or health authority, including the ministry itself and the wider medical community. It is also not recognised under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016, and does not fall under any approved medical or traditional treatment. “This action does not constitute a legitimate therapeutic intervention or health treatment. Rather, it is a high-risk physical act that could cause serious harm to those involved,” the ministry stressed. Because the practice is not regulated under the law, there are also no guidelines governing its use. Videos online show individuals briefly ‘put to sleep’ before regaining consciousness – often looking startled, confused or disoriented. The viral trend is particularly concerning because it is widely promoted on social media platforms that are easily accessible to the public. This could encourage individuals to try the practice without understanding the serious risks involved. The health ministry warns that the practice violates key medical principles such as non-maleficence – the duty to do no harm – and informed consent, as individuals may be misled into believing the loss of consciousness is simply “sleep”. The public is urged to seek medical advice only from registered healthcare practitioners. Why some people feel ‘better’ afterwards Health advocacy group Public Health Malaysia (PHM) has also addressed the trend, explaining that the temporary feeling of relief some people report is actually the body’s emergency response to oxygen deprivation. According to the platform, when the brain lacks oxygen, the body activates its emergency defence system. Hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are released, along with surges of dopamine and endorphins. “This can create a temporary feeling of relief, lightness or even euphoria. In reality, it is the body reacting after nearly facing danger,” PHM said. It likens the sensation to someone who almost drowns but manages to breathe again. While the relief of breathing may feel overwhelming, the near-drowning itself remains extremely dangerous. The platform further explained that the term “six-second sleep” typically refers to pressing the neck, shoulder or back of the neck until a person briefly faints before regaining consciousness. “It is often treated as a joke, a challenge, or supposedly a form of therapy. But medically, this is not a treatment procedure and it is not safe,” it said. “The brain has no oxygen reserve and requires constant blood flow every second. This makes the risks significant and unpredictable.” PHM added that the practice could also trigger sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in individuals who may have undiagnosed heart or blood-vessel conditions.