For more than a decade, a Japanese man has slept just 30 minutes a day and still managed to do his job well. Daisuke Hori, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from Hyogo, Japan, claims that he has slept for just half an hour a day for the past 12 years.

Hori claimed he had trained his brain and body to function normally with minimal sleep and never felt tired.

It started 12 years ago when he cut down on his sleep so he could be more active every day. Gradually, he managed to reduce his sleep time to just 30 to 45 minutes per day.

“If you do sports or drink coffee an hour before eating, you can avoid drowsiness,” he told the South China Morning Post.

While most experts say a person needs 6 to 8 hours of sleep per day, Hori claims his unique approach has increased his work efficiency and concentration.

He also conducts workshops on sleep and health at his organization, the Japan Short Sleepers Training Association, founded in 2016.

Hori believes that quality sleep is more important than sleep duration. “People who need to concentrate continuously in their work benefit more from quality sleep than from long sleep. For example, doctors and firefighters have short rest periods, but they maintain high efficiency,” he said.

So far, Hori has taught ultra-sleep training to approximately 2,100 students.

While the incident has sparked discussion online, here’s what experts have to say about Hori’s excessive sleepiness and whether such a sleep pattern is achievable.

Can the brain function after 30 minutes of sleep every day?

According to Dr. Prasanna Kumar T, Consultant Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, each individual’s sleep needs vary significantly over his or her lifetime.

“Most adults need 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night, but some individuals sleep less and may not get enough sleep to feel refreshed,” Dr Kumar tells IndiaToday.in.

Too little sleep can lead to persistent sleep deprivation, which can impact memory, weaken immunity, alter mood, and even cause cardiovascular problems.

Dr Sachin D., consultant, clinical and interventional pulmonology, critical care and sleep disorders, Kauvery Hospitals, said a person can survive with very little sleep, “but at the cost of severe mental and physical stress.”

“There are several methods used to reduce sleep, such as using caffeine and distraction techniques,” Dr Sachin said.

Although experts said it was highly questionable whether sleeping just 30 minutes a day was beneficial, “attempting to reduce sleep by this much may do more harm than good for most individuals.”

Dr. Kumar advised, “Sleep is essential for emotional regulation, cognitive function, memory consolidation and physical healing. Although Mr. Hori may have gradually trained his body, it is unlikely that others who attempt to follow a similar sleep pattern will benefit in the long term due to the unknown consequences.”

Experts agree that some people naturally need less sleep, and their bodies can function well with less than the recommended average of 7 to 9 hours.

However, sleeping only 30 minutes per day is excessive, and it is unlikely that many people could maintain this without adverse effects.

Studies have consistently shown that insufficient sleep is associated with a higher risk of mortality and a decreased quality of life. While some individuals can temporarily adapt to less sleep, the long-term consequences can be detrimental.

Are people who sleep less getting more health benefits?

Although each individual has “different needs” when it comes to sleep, it is generally not a good idea to significantly reduce sleep, as it can have adverse effects on both physical and mental health.

“A shortened sleep period may not provide the restorative benefits of a full sleep cycle, including the essential REM (rapid eye movement) and deep sleep stages,” Dr Kumar cautions.

Chronic sleep deficiency is linked to a number of health problems, such as impaired cognitive function, weakened immune response, and increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular morbidity, including myocardial infarction, hypertension, heart attack, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.

It also causes mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, low energy, irritability, decreased libido, poor judgment and other psychological disorders, leading to decreased cognitive ability, accidents and errors at the workplace, and a decline in quality of life.

Sleep deficiency is also linked to immunodeficiency, which reduces the ability to fight infection.

Sleep experts and health organizations, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Sleep Foundation, consistently advocate 7 to 9 hours of sleep for adults.

“This range is based on extensive research that shows it is best for the health and well-being of most people,” Dr. Kumar said.

Dr. Sachin cites a study done in the UK that showed that chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of heart attack by 20%. It is also linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as an increased risk of diabetes.

He said that although the trend of “long-term very short sleep periods of 30 to 90 minutes per day” is claimed to have many benefits, it may also be dangerous for many individuals.

The expert said to focus on getting good quality sleep every day, which can be 6 to 7 hours.

There are no studies claiming that a super-short sleep of 30 minutes per day can double lifespan.