The Ministry of Health (MOH) has warned the public not to attempt a viral procedure known as the ‘six-second sleep’ therapy, cautioning that the practice poses serious health risks and could potentially lead to death.
Responding to a query by MyCheck Malaysia, the ministry explained that the ‘sleep’ induced by the method is not genuine sleep. Instead, it involves applying pressure to the neck area, which may cause a person to lose consciousness due to a sudden reduction in oxygen supply to the brain.
The MOH said such actions could lead to serious medical complications including sudden fainting, stroke, carotid artery injury, cardiac arrhythmia, cerebral hypoxia, permanent brain damage and seizures, besides posing a risk of death.
“At present, there is no scientific or medical evidence supporting the effectiveness of a method that uses pressure on the neck to temporarily induce unconsciousness,” the ministry said.
The therapy has gained attention on social media, where some self-proclaimed practitioners claim the technique can ‘reset’ the brain, relieve stress and eliminate negative energy from the body.
However, viral videos show individuals appearing to collapse briefly after pressure is applied to areas such as the neck, shoulders or nape. They later regain consciousness, often looking startled or disoriented.
The MOH said the phenomenon is medically referred to as induced convulsive syncope, a type of fainting episode accompanied by movements resembling seizures, triggered by a sudden disruption in oxygen flow to the brain.
It stressed that the practice is not recognised by any medical authority, including the MOH and the broader medical community.
The therapy is also not listed under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 (Act 775) and does not fall under any recognised modern or traditional medical treatment.
Meanwhile, health advocacy group Public Health Malaysia (PHM) explained that the sense of relief reported by some individuals after undergoing the procedure is merely a temporary response by the body when the brain experiences oxygen deprivation.
“When oxygen levels drop, the body activates its emergency response system. Hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, along with dopamine and endorphins, are released, creating a brief sensation of relief or euphoria,” PHM said.
PHM warned that the risks of the practice are unpredictable and could include sudden cardiac arrest, especially among individuals with undiagnosed heart or blood vessel conditions.
The MOH therefore urged the public to seek treatment only from registered medical practitioners and rely on healthcare methods supported by scientific evidence.
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
