Is Irregular Sleep Linked To 172 Diseases? Anti-Ageing Guru Bryan Johnson Shares A Shocking Study

Working professionals wait for the weekend with bated breath to finally unwind by either partying or binge-watching till midnight. This hampers their sleep routine, which otherwise seems to be on point during office days. Though it may seem like a harmless activity, irregular sleep cycles can be fatal. Don’t believe us? Then hear it out from biohacker and entrepreneur Bryan Johnson himself. Recently, he shared a study on X, which cited how erratic sleep cycles are linked to 172 diseases. Yes, you read that right. Now, without further ado, let us take a deep dive into it.

Who is Bryan Johnson and What Did He Say?

Bryan Johnson is the founder of Braintree. He is known for his Project Blueprint, which is a self-experiment on slow biological ageing. The tech millionaire is famous for his anti-ageing pursuits. Bryan Johnson regularly conducts scientific experiments, where he acts as the subject.

The entrepreneur recently shared a study on his X handle. He wrote: “Irregular sleep is just as bad as getting less sleep. Both are linked to the risk of 172 diseases.” Bryan Johnson mentioned that delayed bedtime by over 60-90 minutes can increase liver disease risk by over 1.5 times.

Irregular sleep is just as bad as getting less sleep.

Both are linked to the risk of 172 diseases.
42 showed more than doubled risk with bad sleep.

Almost half of these diseases were associated with irregular sleep.

Things like inconsistent bed times, late sleep hours, and… pic.twitter.com/vCFsreds9T

— Bryan Johnson (@bryan_johnson) September 16, 2025

What Did Bryan Johnson Study?

Bryan Johnson referred to a study titled ‘Phenome-wide Analysis of Diseases in Relation to Objectively Measured Sleep Traits and Comparison with Subjective Sleep Traits in 88,461 Adults’. The study was conducted for nearly seven years. It tracked sleep patterns using wearable devices.

The study found that inconsistent bedtimes, late-night habits, and disrupted circadian rhythms can significantly increase the risk of serious conditions. Almost half of the 172 sleep-related diseases were linked specifically to irregular patterns, rather than short sleep duration.

What Diseases Are Related To Irregular Sleep Cycles?

Experts have consistently emphasised the importance of sufficient sleep, and this study highlighted how maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial. On this note, let’s take a look at some of the diseases mentioned in this study:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Acute kidney failure
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Metabolic disorders
• Mental diseases.

How To Fix Your Sleep Schedule?

Bryan Johnson had earlier mentioned certain habits that one can inculcate to fix their sleep habits. Let’s take a look at some of them:

• Create a 30-60 minute wind-down routine. Engage in relaxing activities like taking a warm shower or reading before sleep.
• Practice mindfulness or deep breathing exercises.
• Listen to soothing music before sleep. Soft, calming music can help signal to the mind that it's time to sleep.
• Regulate evening light.
• Go for herbal teas or relaxing drinks in the evening.
• Avoid stimulants before sleep.
• Eat your final meal hours before bedtime.
• Keep a regular and fixed bedtime.
• Curate your sleep environment.

Conclusion

The study shared by Bryan Johnson revealed that irregular sleep patterns are linked to 172 diseases, like Parkinson’s disease and type 2 diabetes. The research was conducted on 88461 adults for nearly seven years. Bryan Johnson had mentioned developing certain habits, such as keeping a consistent bedtime, avoiding stimulants before sleep, and doing deep breathing exercises, to fix an irregular sleep cycle.