1093 TikTok Made Me Do It: An Analysis of the Scientific Evidence Supporting TikTok’s Recommendations for Better Sleep

Abstract Introduction Like it or not, the public looks to social media for health advice. In one large survey, adults listed social media as their second place for health information following their primary care provider, and most individuals reported that they do not verify the accuracy of information with a healthcare provider. Given the public’s apparent confidence in health advice shared on social media, it is important that content creators share medically sound advice. To that end, we sought to understand the scientific evidence supporting sleep tips shared on TikTok. Methods We transcribed the most-viewed TikTok videos on November 15-16, 2023, that used the tag #sleephacks, #sleephygiene, or #sleeptips. Two researchers coded each video to identify all sleep tips; a third researcher coded >25% of videos for validity. A total of 295 sleep tips (including repeated recommendations) were coded across 58 videos. Tips were then organized by theme and were compared to findings from empirical articles in peer-reviewed journals on Google Scholar. Research-based evidence in support of sleep tips was defined as shorter sleep latency, longer sleep duration, more slow-wave or rapid eye movement sleep, higher sleep satisfaction, or less daytime sleepiness in randomized or non-randomized controlled trials or correlational (cross-sectional regression) associations. Results N = 35 unique sleep tips were identified, grouped around 7 themes: calming activities (e.g., breathwork prior to bed), use of electronics (e.g., limiting screen time before bed), environment (e.g., sleeping in a cool, dark room), foods/substances to avoid (e.g., caffeine before bed), foods/substances to use (e.g., magnesium), schedule (e.g., consistent bed and wake times), and other sleep-related behaviors (e.g., mouth taping). Of the 35 tips, we found empirical support for 33, of which 26 had evidence from randomized controlled trials, 2 were supported by controlled trials without randomization, and 5 were backed by correlational associations. Conclusion Most sleep tips shared on TikTok are supported by empirical evidence. While much of the health advice shared on the platform remains unregulated and unreviewed by health professionals, current information about sleep hygiene and sleep environment is generally backed by scientific support. Support (if any)