30 Minutes of Sleep a Day?! 40-Year-Old Bodybuilder Claims it Doubled His Life Expectancy

Can sleeping less help you live longer? This Japanese bodybuilder, Daisuke Hori, who’s basically living like he’s cracked the code to squeeze more hours out of the day. The guy’s 40, and he swears he’s found a way to “double” his life. How? By sleeping a measly 30 minutes a night. No joke!

He’s been at this crazy sleep schedule for 12 years now. Can you imagine? While the rest of us are busy counting sheep, Hori’s out there treating sleep like it’s optional. He claims he’s trained his body and mind to run on fumes, sleep-wise.

No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. You’ve read that right Daisuke Hori claims to sleep around 30-45 minutes, not only to be more productive but also to improve longevity. With a combination of physical activity and caffeine, Hori has conditioned his body to function as usual despite sleeping less. 

“As long as you do sports or drink coffee an hour before eating, you can stave off drowsiness,” he said.  

While this may seem fantastic when considering what you can accomplish in a day, it is advised to sleep at least seven to nine hours daily, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Failing to do so can lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and, in more severe cases, death.  

40-YO Japanese Bodybuilder Claims He Has Slept Only 30 Minutes a Day for 12 Years and Doubled His Life Expectancy

Despite these warnings, Daisuke Hori has remained undeterred. Instead, he has drawn comparisons to other individuals whose careers require them to maintain mental clarity while receiving less sleep, such as medical professionals and first responders. His argument is centered around quality being above quantity. 

“People who need sustained focus in their work benefit more from high-quality sleep than long sleep. For instance, doctors and firefighters have shorter rest periods but maintain high efficiency,” 

However, unlike Hori, these professionals are only forced to operate under these conditions for short periods before being given a break to return to their usual sleeping patterns. For instance, a surgeon may work long shifts ranging from 12-28 hours but will only do this for four days out of the week. 

Daisuke Hori, on the other hand, claims to have been sustaining this rigorous sleep schedule for over 12 years straight, going as far as crediting his lack of sleep with doubling his lifespan. This notion has led several individuals to believe Hori isn’t telling the whole truth, including Dr. Thomas Kilkenny, director of the Institute of Sleep Medicine at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital.

Kilkenny shared his thoughts with the New York Post, expressing that he finds Hori’s sleep schedule to be nearly impossible. 

“I find it very hard to believe that this gentleman only sleeps 90 minutes daily. This seems to be impossible. No one knows exactly why we sleep but it is well understood that sleep deprivation causes extreme negative effects on the mind and body,” he shared. 

Additionally, Kilkenny explained that sleep deprivation has dire consequences and certainly won’t increase longevity. 

“Continued lack of sleep will cause death. Sleep deprivation is banned by the Geneva convention as a form of torture. A human cannot function correctly without the proper amount of sleep. I doubt this gentleman’s story is accurate and it definitely is not going to increase his life expectancy.”  

Even though Daisuke Hori’s methods may seem questionable, he recently competed in ‘Best Body Japan,’ an event known for showcasing the most impressive physiques in Japan. Hori has also started teaching others how to sleep less, founding the Short Sleepers Training Association in 2016. 

Now, someone who is the picture of health, seven-time Mr. Olympia champion Arnold Schwarzenegger, is adamant that getting good sleep is essential for longevity and overall well-being. Over the years, he has shared countless studies recommending adequate rest and even revealed sleep deprivation as ‘the silent killer of muscle.’ Additionally, he has shared that sleep is linked directly to improving weight loss and muscle gains. 

While this Japanese bodybuilding dad may have discovered the ultimate hack to getting the most out of his days, just because it works for him doesn’t mean it’ll work for everyone. If you are considering following in Daisuke Hori’s footsteps, be sure to do your research and listen to your body. Do you believe less sleep is the secret to living longer? Let us know in the comments below. 

RELATED: 10 Science-Backed Ways to Burn More Fat While Sleeping

Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.