Niraj NaikFounder & CEO of SOMA Breath | Music-Powered Breathwork Pioneer | DJ, Speaker & Author

Most people don't realize that prescription sleep aids can reduce deep,

15 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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In this YouTube video, Niraj Naik argues that prescription sleeping pills such as diazepam are ineffective and potentially harmful. He cites studies indicating that these medications can cut deep and REM sleep by up to 40% and can lead to dependence within weeks, suggesting a profit-driven industry that keeps users as lifelong customers. Naik then offers an alternative: a simple 4‑7‑8 breathing technique (inhale for 4 beats, hold for 7, exhale for 8) that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and vagus nerve, enabling listeners to fall asleep quickly without medication.

Chapters

They don't want you to know this. Sleeping pills, they really don't work. Studies have shown that sleeping pills like diazepams can actually reduce deep sleep, REM sleep, the kind that makes you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, by up to 40%. And then you can get dependency on those medications within weeks. This is a big business designed to keep you a customer for life. But there is a way to get to sleep That is almost as easy as popping a pill, and that's using your breath. There's a simple breathing technique I want to teach you now that just revolves around breathing in a certain rhythm. So if you breathe in for around 4 beats and then hold your breath for about 7 beats and then breathe out for 8 beats and do this rhythmically, you will turn on the parasympathetic nervous system. You'll turn on your vagus nerve, and then you'll drift off to sleep pretty fast.