Don’t miss these TikTok tips.
As the younger generation becomes more involved with social media Speaking of health information, a new study from Auburn University found that most of the sleep tips shared on TikTok are backed by scientific evidence.
The researchers transcribed the most-watched TikToks tagged #sleephacks, #sleephygiene, or #sleeptips on November 15 and 16, 2023, and collected 295 sleep tips (including some recurring recommendations) from 58 videos.
Thirty-five unique sleep tips were identified and categorized into seven themes: calming activities (e.g., breathing exercises before bed), electronic device use (e.g., limiting screen time before bed), environment (e.g., sleeping in a cool, dark room), foods/substances to avoid (caffeine before bed), foods/substances to consume (magnesium), schedule (consistent bed and wake times), and other sleep-related behaviors (e.g., taping one’s mouth).
Of the 35 tips, 29 are backed by scientific research, according to the findings, which will be presented Tuesday in Houston at the American Association of Sleep Professionals’ SLEEP 2024 conference. Only six sleep tips were not backed by scientific evidence.
“These results suggest that the sleep research and sleep medicine communities have done a good job of promoting appropriate tips for sleep hygiene,” said lead author Brian Gillis. It said in a statement.
“This means that people are learning what we want you to know about sleep in the place where many of us feel comfortable learning health information – on social media,” Gillis added.
Last year’s poll 87% of millennial and Gen Z TikTok users say they get nutrition and health advice from the platform.
According to a survey by nutrition and food tracking app MyFitnessPal, around 57% admit to being influenced or frequently adopting nutrition trends promoted on TikTok.
Health advice on TikTok is not regulated — and Recent analysis from the University of Chicago About 44% of sinusitis-related TikToks were found to contain factually inaccurate information.
The researchers called on health professionals to be more active on social media to combat misinformation.
A University of Chicago study found that only 15% of TikTok videos from medical professionals contained factually incorrect information, compared to nearly 60% of videos from non-medical influencers.
