
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a dangerous weight loss method that involves taking sedatives to sleep for long periods of time, sometimes up to 20 hours a day, in order to avoid eating. This diet has gained popularity among pro-anorexia communities, with women encouraging each other to take strong painkillers or sleeping pills to curb their hunger. While this diet may seem like a quick fix for weight loss, it comes with serious risks, including addiction to sedatives, depression, and even the possibility of death. Experts warn that there is no scientific evidence to support the Sleeping Beauty Diet, and it may even lead to weight gain and increased health risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Diet | Fad diet, starvation diet |
| Goal | Weight loss |
| Method | Sleeping for long periods, taking sedatives, pills, sleeping pills, painkillers |
| Duration | Days, weekends, months |
| Origin | Unknown, possibly a novel called Valley of the Dolls |
| Risks | Addiction, overdose, death, binge eating, depression, social isolation, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, weight gain |
| Effectiveness | No scientific evidence, potentially unhealthy, may not contribute to weight loss |
| Alternatives | Cognitive-behavioral therapy, 18Shake Diet |
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What You'll Learn
- The Sleeping Beauty Diet involves taking sedatives to avoid eating
- The diet is linked to pro-anorexia communities
- Experts warn of dangerous side effects, including addiction, overdose, and even death
- There is no scientific evidence to prove the diet's success
- Healthier alternatives to the Sleeping Beauty Diet include cognitive-behavioural therapy and the 18Shake Diet

The Sleeping Beauty Diet involves taking sedatives to avoid eating
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a fad diet that involves taking sedatives to sleep for long periods of time, sometimes up to 18 or 20 hours a day, in order to avoid eating. This diet has been popularised by pro-anorexia communities and blogs, where women encourage each other to take sedatives like Xanax to sleep instead of eating. The diet is based on the assumption that if you're asleep, you won't be awake to eat, and it has been around for decades, with Elvis Presley rumoured to have used it.
While this diet may seem like a quick fix for weight loss, it is important to note that it is extremely dangerous and can have serious side effects. Experts warn that relying on medications to induce sleep can lead to addiction and increased social isolation. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence to prove the diet's success, and it may even promote weight gain due to a slowed metabolism. Oversleeping has also been linked to various medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and an increased risk of death.
Those who follow the Sleeping Beauty Diet may also experience dangerous side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, sleepwalking, and sleep eating. The diet can also trigger or worsen underlying mental health issues such as depression and eating disorders. In fact, one individual who tried the diet shared that it slowed their metabolism and fuelled their depression.
Instead of resorting to dangerous diets like the Sleeping Beauty Diet, it is crucial to address the underlying reasons for disordered eating and seek professional help. Cognitive-behavioural therapy, for example, is recommended by the American College of Physicians as the first line of treatment for insomnia and related issues. While it may be tempting to try extreme measures for weight loss, prioritising one's health and well-being is of utmost importance.
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The diet is linked to pro-anorexia communities
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a fad diet that involves taking sedatives to sleep for long periods of time, sometimes up to 20 hours a day, in order to avoid eating and thus lose weight. The diet has been linked to pro-anorexia communities, where women encourage each other to take sedatives to sleep instead of eating. This behavior has been observed on pro-anorexia blogs, forums, and websites, where individuals discuss their use of strong painkillers or sleeping pills to induce sleep and curb their hunger.
The diet is considered dangerous and disordered by health professionals and experts. There is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of the Sleeping Beauty Diet, and it may lead to various health risks and negative consequences. The use of sedatives can result in addiction, overdose, and even death. Additionally, sleeping for excessively long periods can increase the risk of medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
Pro-anorexia communities often promote disordered eating and unhealthy weight loss methods. The encouragement and normalization of extreme behaviors, such as abusing drugs to avoid food, can be detrimental to individuals struggling with eating disorders or seeking weight loss solutions. It is important to seek professional help and evidence-based treatments for insomnia or eating disorders, rather than resorting to dangerous fads like the Sleeping Beauty Diet.
Furthermore, the Sleeping Beauty Diet may not even contribute to sustainable weight loss. While it involves starvation and sleep as a means to avoid eating, it can slow metabolism and potentially lead to weight gain. Additionally, any weight lost during the diet is likely to be water weight and muscle loss rather than fat loss. Thus, the Sleeping Beauty Diet is not only dangerous but also ineffective and potentially counterproductive for weight loss.
The diet's link to pro-anorexia communities highlights the need for awareness and intervention to prevent the spread of such harmful practices. It is crucial to address the underlying causes of disordered eating and provide support and treatment options that prioritize physical and mental health rather than risky quick fixes.
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Experts warn of dangerous side effects, including addiction, overdose, and even death
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a fad diet that involves taking sedatives to sleep for long periods of time, often 10 to 20 hours a day, in order to avoid eating. This diet has gained popularity among pro-anorexia communities and blogs, with women encouraging each other to take sedatives and severely restrict their calorie intake during the day.
Experts have warned of the dangerous side effects associated with this diet, including the risk of addiction, overdose, and even death. Dr. Tracey Wade, a professor at the Flinders University School of Psychology, stated that relying on medications, especially addictive ones like benzodiazepines, puts individuals at risk of addiction. As the body develops a tolerance, higher doses are required to achieve the desired effect, further increasing the risk of overdose.
Linia Patel, a dietician and spokesperson for the British Dietician Association, cautioned that following the Sleeping Beauty Diet to extremes could result in death. This diet can also lead to social isolation, impacting mood and potentially causing or exacerbating depression. A 2015 study from the University of Washington found a concerning link between sleeping tablets and dementia, further highlighting the potential for long-term neurological damage.
Additionally, the Sleeping Beauty Diet can slow metabolism and, contrary to its intended purpose, may even lead to weight gain. Oversleeping has been linked to various medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and an increased risk of death. Beyond the physical consequences, this diet may push individuals further into the vicious cycle of eating disorders, triggering binge and disordered eating.
It is important to note that there is no scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of the Sleeping Beauty Diet, and it is widely discouraged by health professionals. Safe and sustainable weight loss should be achieved through healthy lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, rather than resorting to dangerous and potentially life-threatening methods.
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There is no scientific evidence to prove the diet's success
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a fad diet that involves taking sedatives to sleep for long periods of time, sometimes up to 20 hours a day, in order to avoid eating. This diet has gained popularity among pro-anorexia communities and blogs, where women encourage each other to take sedatives and severely restrict their calorie intake during the day.
However, there is no scientific evidence to prove the diet's success. Firstly, there is a lack of information and research regarding the diet's history, origin, and effectiveness. The only known origin of the diet is the novel "Valley of the Dolls," which discussed people's reliance on drugs for weight loss. This is likely why there is no scientific backing for the diet's safety and effectiveness.
Furthermore, health experts and dieticians have warned that the Sleeping Beauty Diet can lead to dangerous side effects and health risks. These risks include addiction to sedatives, social isolation, depression, binge eating, and an increased risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes as well as potentially dementia later in life. One former follower of the diet shared that it slowed her metabolism and fueled her depression.
Additionally, while it is true that sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, there are also studies suggesting that oversleeping can lead to weight gain and obesity. Oversleeping has also been associated with an increased risk of medical problems and mortality.
In conclusion, the Sleeping Beauty Diet is not supported by scientific evidence and may lead to harmful consequences. It is important to seek professional help for any underlying issues related to eating disorders or insomnia rather than resorting to unsafe and ineffective methods such as the Sleeping Beauty Diet.
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Healthier alternatives to the Sleeping Beauty Diet include cognitive-behavioural therapy and the 18Shake Diet
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a dangerous weight-loss method where people take sedatives to sleep for at least 10 hours a day to avoid eating. Women in online pro-anorexia communities encourage each other to take this approach, as well as exercise and restrict their calorie intake. This method of weight loss is extremely unhealthy, and can lead to an eating disorder, as well as other side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, sleepwalking, and sleep eating.
Healthier alternatives to this diet include cognitive-behavioural therapy and the 18Shake Diet. The former is recommended by the American College of Physicians as the first line of treatment for insomnia, rather than sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are only a short-term fix and can lead to eating disorders and other side effects.
The 18Shake Diet is a meal replacement shake that is designed to be a convenient and healthy way to lose weight. It is made from all-natural components and contains no soy, gluten, artificial sweeteners, or other harmful ingredients. The shake is high in protein and fibre, which helps to keep you feeling full for longer and reduces the urge to snack between meals. It also contains energizing MCTs, healthy fats, and muscle-building protein.
Unlike the Sleeping Beauty Diet, the 18Shake Diet is a safe and effective way to lose weight, providing long-lasting health benefits. It is also easy to use, doing away with the need for calorie counting, food scales, and complicated charts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a fad diet that involves taking sedatives or sleeping pills to sleep for long periods of time, sometimes up to 20 hours a day, in order to avoid eating. It has been criticised by experts as dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
People follow the Sleeping Beauty Diet with the aim of losing weight. It is based on the assumption that if you are sleeping, you are not eating. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove its success and it may even promote weight gain.
The Sleeping Beauty Diet carries several risks, including addiction to sedatives, binge and disordered eating, depression, overdose, and an increased risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. It can also lead to social isolation and impact mood, which can further trigger disordered eating.












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