A new social media trend promising better sleep has caught the attention of millions online, but sleep specialists and dermatologists are warning that the practice lacks scientific backing and may even cause harm.
What Is Salt Stomping?
The “salt stomping” trend, popularized this summer by American-Korean content creator Tammy Weatherhead, involves spreading sea salt or Epsom salt across a shallow tray and walking barefoot on it for approximately ten minutes before bedtime.
According to its proponents, the practice allegedly reduces cortisol levels—the body’s primary stress hormone—and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which regulates heart rate and breathing while preparing the body for rest.
“It only takes 10 minutes, it costs almost nothing, and I’ve noticed an improvement in my sleep quality,” Weatherhead claims in her videos.
Social Media Embraces the Trend
On TikTok, salt stomping has quickly gained a devoted following. Numerous users report incorporating it into their evening routines, citing both the promised physiological benefits and a supposed “grounding” effect—the belief that walking barefoot on salt creates a direct physical connection to the Earth’s natural surface.
Scientists Remain Skeptical
Despite its popularity, the scientific community remains unconvinced. A 2004 study frequently cited as evidence for grounding’s sleep benefits involved only 12 participants sleeping on conductive mattress pads and lacked a control group.
“Overall, the scientific evidence demonstrating that grounding improves sleep is limited. More rigorous studies are needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and benefits of grounding,” said Dr. Lulu Guo, a sleep medicine specialist, in an interview with the Sleep Foundation.
Neurologist Dr. W. Christopher Winter was even more direct in his assessment, telling Women’s Health that salt stomping “does nothing.”
“To date, I consider it, along with placing soap under the mattress, the most absurd trick for better sleep,” said the sleep specialist.
The Placebo Effect May Explain Benefits
Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, another sleep medicine specialist, acknowledged that while no serious studies demonstrate salt walking improves sleep, those who report benefits may not be entirely wrong—they may simply be attributing the effects to the wrong cause.
“If a person takes ten minutes each evening before bed, standing in silence, focusing on a physical sensation, without using their phone, and voluntarily relaxing, that could genuinely help them feel more relaxed and ready for sleep,” she told Prevention magazine.
Psychologist Dr. Thea Gallagher agreed, adding that “there is no proof that salt itself treats anxiety.”
Potential Skin Risks
Beyond the lack of evidence, dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldenberg warns that prolonged skin contact with salt can irritate the soles of the feet and potentially aggravate conditions such as psoriasis or eczema.
Proven Alternatives for Better Sleep
Health professionals recommend evidence-based approaches for managing stress and anxiety that interfere with sleep:
- Meditation and mindfulness practices
- Slow, deep breathing exercises
- Hypnotherapy, though results vary
For persistent sleep difficulties, experts advise consulting a healthcare provider to “address the underlying problem” rather than relying on unproven social media trends.
