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n today’s fast-moving world, stress has become an almost inevitable part of life, affecting many both mentally and physically, often driven by work and other pressures.
In response, many turn to self-care, visiting spas, massage centres or seeking treatments from practitioners offering various techniques to ease physical and emotional tension.
Recently, a method known as ‘six-second sleep therapy’ has emerged as a popular trend, with many claiming its effectiveness. However, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has warned the public against trying the treatment, cautioning that it could be potentially fatal.
PERCEPTION
Disputing the ministry’s warning, therapy practitioner Ahmad Noordin Mohd Azmi said the term ‘six-second sleep’ is simply a label for what is essentially a long-practised traditional method in alternative medicine.
“Different practitioners give different names to this technique, but the goal is essentially the same: to help restore and stimulate the nervous system,” he said.
Explaining that there are various types of nerve treatments not widely known to the public, he, who has five years of experience in addressing a range of critical nerve-related conditions, said the method does not treat diseases but instead helps stimulate weakened nerves by improving blood flow to specific areas of the body.
Ahmad Noordin Mohd Azm
According to him, clients often report feeling lighter, more refreshed and energised after treatment, with improvements in symptoms such as fatigue, heaviness in the head and blurred vision. However, he stressed that such outcomes are subjective and experienced individually.
He added that the therapy is commonly sought by those experiencing head discomfort, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and neck tension.
However, Ahmad Noordin acknowledged that the treatment carries risks if performed by inexperienced or untrained practitioners, adding that a patient’s body appearing to convulse during the procedure is merely an outward reaction, indicating that the individual’s nervous system is in a severely compromised condition.
“If you are unsure or doubtful about the treatment, don’t proceed, even if many claim it works. If the mind is doubtful, healing will never be complete, even with an experienced practitioner,” he cautioned.
NO STRONG EVIDENCE
Meanwhile, neurologist Dr Ahmad Shahir Mawardi from Hospital Kuala Lumpur said claims of the therapy’s effectiveness in treating nerve-related conditions are not supported by scientific or clinical evidence.
He explained that the technique involves applying pressure to the carotid arteries, major blood vessels located on both sides of the neck that supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Dr Ahmad Shahir Mawardi
“When pressure is applied to these arteries, it disrupts blood flow to the brain, including oxygen supply, resulting in a condition known as cerebral hypoperfusion.
“This may cause the individual to appear asleep, disoriented or experience seizure-like movements. Once the pressure is released, consciousness returns as blood flow resumes,” he told Bernama.
From a clinical perspective, he noted that the term ‘carotid’ originates from the ancient Greek word karoun, meaning ‘to fall into deep sleep’ or ‘to stupefy,’ linked to early observations by physicians such as Rufus of Ephesus and Galen of Pergamon.
INJURY RISKS
Addressing whether the therapy can truly treat conditions as claimed, Dr Ahmad Shahir said there is no clinical evidence that it can cure issues such as stress, hypertension or insomnia.
“Instead, it may lead to significant medical complications such as sudden fainting, stroke, carotid artery injury, cardiac arrhythmia, cerebral hypoxia, permanent brain damage, seizures, and even death,” he warned.
He stressed that the brief loss of consciousness induced by the method is not healthy sleep, but rather fainting caused by disrupted blood flow to the brain.
“This is what makes the therapy extremely dangerous, as it can result in serious health complications, including permanent brain damage,” he said.
He added that the neck contains not only blood vessels but also complex nerve structures that may be injured during the procedure.
credit pix Freepik
Of particular concern are baroreceptors located in the carotid sinus, which regulate blood pressure and bodily balance. When blood pressure to the brain drops, signals are sent to the heart to pump harder, a response that can be dangerous, especially for individuals with undiagnosed heart conditions.
“This can lead to complications such as heart failure, irregular heartbeat and even death,” he said.
He further noted that prolonged disruption of oxygen supply to the brain can cause stroke, as brain tissue is highly sensitive and can suffer irreversible damage after about four minutes without adequate oxygen.
CONSULT A DOCTOR FIRST
Dr Ahmad Shahir believes the therapy’s popularity may be fuelled by celebrity endorsements and viral claims of its effectiveness.
However, he strongly advised those considering the treatment to seek professional medical advice first.
“For safety, consult a qualified doctor. This treatment is not recognised under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016, nor is it part of any recognised modern or traditional medical practice,” he said.
Creditpix.--Freepik
Instead, he recommended safer and clinically proven approaches such as practising good ‘sleep hygiene’, establishing routines and environments that support quality rest.
“It’s not just about physical cleanliness, but about creating conditions that allow the body to rest optimally. If these measures fail, seek treatment from a medical specialist,” he added.
