Viral mouthtaping TikTok trend IS NO CURE for snoring or asthma, experts warn here's what will happen instead
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY: TikTok is no stranger to weird challenges and trends that are potentially life-threatening at times, as well. One such trend that is now making rounds on the controversial platform is having people sleep with tape on their mouths in order to get "better sleep." As ridiculous as the trend might be, some experts were quick enough to call out this trend and label it dangerous.
The trend has raised enough eyebrows in the medical community for doctors to come out and raise awareness regarding this dangerous activity. One such doctor called this TikTok practice ridiculous. Dr David Culpepper, a general practitioner in Lexington, Kentucky, told Fox News Digital, "This is one of the most dangerous trends I’ve heard of in some time, and I’m quite concerned that it is being advocated as a 'health' trend." Culpepper further explained that following this practice could worsen sleep apnea, which is a sleeping disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts and could carry fatal results. However, the video hosting service has been home to many quirky trends promoting issues like body shaming, and in some cases, leading to death.
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While people are going gaga over this new trend, it's surely not for everyone. As per the Sleep Foundation, there has not been much research on mouth taping, hence the side effects are largely unknown. But some of the obvious side effects include irritation on or around the lips, pain when ripping off the tape, especially for those with facial hair, disrupted sleep due to irritation from the tape, or difficulty breathing through the nose. It further includes anxiety for those who feel uncomfortable having their mouth taped shut and discomfort or difficulty breathing.
TikTok is in love with #mouthtaping
The #mouthtaping hashtag has over 24 million views across the platform as more and more people come forward to participate in the practice that has been declared dangerous by medical practitioners. While the doctors are advising against it, mouth taping devotees are broadcasting the fact that doing so has helped them with a number of ailments associated with mouth breathing, including snoring and sleep apnea. According to Healthline, nose breathing helps eliminate foreign particles, humidifies inhaled air, and produces nitric oxide, which can help improve oxygen circulation in the body.
Last year, health coach Cory Rodriguez shared a viral TikTok video in which he sleeps with his mouth taped every night while demonstrating how to do it. Rodriguez says in the video, which has more than 5.7 million views, "The goal is to breathe through your nose while you’re asleep versus your mouth." He explained that breathing through your nose while you sleep decreases snoring, improves oral hygiene, reduces dry mouth, and helps you get better sleep. Some users commented that they could never do it as they have problems breathing through their nose, but some users gushed over this technique. One user wrote, "I've been doing this now for a couple months after seeing this and it is life-changing."