‘Have never slept with my girlfriend’: Bryan Johnson argues in favour of couples sleeping apart

American biohacker Bryan Johnson has sparked debate with his claim that he and his girlfriend Kate never sleep together, revealing they sleep in separate beds and homes. Johnson shared this revelation on Instagram, citing a PubMed study of 55 couples which reported six nocturnal awakenings per night triggered by a partner. However, the scientific consensus is divided on the matter.

Johnson pointed out that another study involving 12 couples found that co-sleeping led to a 10% increase in REM sleep and better synchronization of sleep stages. Nevertheless, he highlighted that factors like gender play a role – women often experience poorer sleep quality when sharing a bed with a partner, while men tend to sleep better.

Dr Joy Desai, Director of Neurology at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, concurred with Johnson, stressing that the interpretation of such studies cannot be taken at face value. She emphasized that factors such as proper sleep hygiene, including a calming bedtime routine, are crucial. According to Desai, the most important takeaway is that it ultimately depends on the couple's individual circumstances.

Dr Prashant Makhija, a neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central, added that sleep serves essential functions for the brain, including waste removal, memory consolidation, and stress hormone regulation. For optimal health, he outlined three key aspects of good sleep: duration (7-9 hours for most adults), depth (enough deep and REM sleep), and consistency (regular sleep-wake times).

In summary, while Johnson's decision to sleep apart has generated interest, experts advise that the ideal sleeping arrangement depends on a variety of factors specific to each individual relationship and personal habits.