Sleep Detoxes Are Never a Good Idea, According to Experts

The word “detox” gets a lot of buzz in the wellness industry, but this time it's gone too far. Detoxifying — as in the process of removing toxic substances from your body — is often promoted as a quick catch-all solution for weight loss, lessening inflammation, and healthier living. Unfortunately, it often looks more like a crash diet or dangerous “cleanse,” with strict rules about food and drink.

To this point, a TikToker recently documented her so-called “sleep detox,” abstaining from sleep for an entire week in an effort to boost her creativity and help her writing. “It's only day four and her writing doesn't make sense anymore,” one onlooker shared on TikTok. “She's just speed-running a descent into madness.” Although the sleep detoxer later claimed the whole thing was just a joke, we still feel it's necessary to explain why you should never try a sleep detox yourself.

Most of the time, we're searching for ways to get more sleep — not detox from it. According to sleep expert William Lu, MD, that's for good reason. “I don't believe there is any basis to sleep detoxing,” he says. “We know how important sleep is for all body and brain functions and that this trend is ultimately going against the goal of increasing creativity.” Read on to learn exactly how dangerous a sleep detox can be (even if it is rage bait) and remember that sometimes it's OK to just scroll.

Experts Featured in This Article:

William Lu, MD, is a sleep medicine physician and the medical director of Dreem Health, a digital sleep clinic.

What Is a Sleep Detox?

A sleep detox involves abstaining from sleep. The woman on TikTok set out to do this for an entire week, but the reality is that sleep detoxing is neither necessary nor safe (no matter how long it lasts). “I'm doing a detox because I'm trying to access the creative inputs that are blocked when you're sleeping and which are not present during REM,” the woman said on day four of the alleged detox. “This is something I'm choosing to do for my own creative practice.” As we now know, though, sleep deprivation only inhibits creativity (and clear thinking in general).

Sleep Detox Risks

Sleep detox involves sleep deprivation and a lack of REM sleep, both of which can have several serious consequences. “Sleep deprivation can have effects on numerous bodily and brain functions,” Dr. Lu says. “The most dangerous effect of sleep deprivation is the increased risk for mistakes and accidents. It can also have significant effects on memory, focus, and mental health.” Other sleep detox risks may include:

“Deep sleep significantly contributes to growth and repair by triggering the release of human growth hormone from the pituitary gland, which stimulates the body to rebuild and repair tissues like muscles and bones,” Dr. Lu explains. “Sleep deprivation would deprive yourself of deep sleep.”

The Bottom Line

Detoxes are seldom a good idea, but sleep detoxing is definitely one to skip. The biggest takeaway? “Don't do it,” Dr. Lu says. “Getting adequate amounts of sleep will be the best way to enhance your ability for creativity.” If anything, take this as your sign to prioritize sleep and see how much better you feel afterwards.

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.