Need some quality zzz's with a side of mouth suffocation? Look no further-the sleep hack that went crazy viral is here to potentially harm you more than help. Taping your mouth shut while you sleep to encourage nose breathing has been all the rage on the internet. The influencers claim it's the secret sauce to cure earth-shattering problems like mouth breathing, bad breath, and even reshaping your jaw.

But before you dive in and give a whole new meaning to beauty sleep, rest assured, research disagrees. So much for the quick fixes and Insta-worthy sleep solutions, right? A PLOS One review analyzed a grand total of 10 studies and found out that-drumroll please-the supposed benefits are as flimsy as those rice cakes you're pretending to enjoy.

Out of these studies, only two sniff out minor improvements for mild sleep apnea sufferers. The majority outright disagree with claims of sleep disorder improvement. As our favourite straight-talker, Brian Rotenberg, MD, MPH, states, “trying to fix blocked noses that are caused by really bad allergies, nasal polyps, deviated septum or unknown nasal tumors with mouth taping makes no sense at all,”. He backs this with a report which shows serious risks from mouth taping, including asphyxiation.

Breaking the bubble of your late-night insta-scrolls, another review seconds this sentiment, reinforcing the fact that solid evidence for mouth taping is as hard to find as a unicorn in downtown LA.

Taping your mouth while catching your beauty sleep isn't just ineffective but can possibly block your breathing causing suffocation. Especially those with nasal congestion, blocking the only available breathing passage doesn't sound like a genius move now, does it?

Dr. Rotenberg ensures us most of us won't be sleeping our way unto the big sleep via mouth taping, but it ain't gonna do your sleep apnea any favors either. Fun fact: about 9 out of 10 people going about their life with obstructive sleep apnea have no idea about it. Their rewards for not treating it? Higher blood pressure and heart problems. No big deal, right?

Everyone seeking a breakthrough sleep hack with mouth-taping, please raise your hand! Now, what if we told you that trading in oxygen for a good night’s sleep might not even yield you any benefits? The only group that might see some change could include people suffering from mild sleep apnea.

It's not all doom and gloom, folks. Let's not blame you for trying to find a solution for dry mouth or bad breath. However, you need to get a green signal that your sleep apnea isn't playing hide-and-seek and there are no deviated septums, tumors or polyps obstructing your nose. Then, and only then, mouth taping could be harmless.

But mindlessly following the heard and using household tape meant to package your Amazon returns instead of skin-friendly, purpose-made tape? Expect skin irritation and possibly a free ride to Claustrophobia-ville. Let's not even start about allergic reactions.

And if you're expecting to wake up fresh and sans-snoring with minor improvements, think again. Some participants reported no relief at all and even when they did, it was inconsistent.

In conclusion, until hard-hitting evidence washes ashore, let the healthcare providers lead your sleep improvement journey. They're probably more equipped to treat your sleep issues than your favourite influencer on the gram who decided to overnight become a sleep specialist!