Absence makes the heart grow fonder — and possibly live longer.
Never one to shy away from sharing intimate details, biohacker Bryan Johnson recently revealed he’s never slept with his girlfriend of almost four years, Kate Tolo.
In a video posted to social media, the longevity mogul explained the reasoning behind the separate beds, and what science has to say about the choice.
While couples sleeping separately is often seen as a sign of trouble, the concept of “sleep divorce” isn’t new, with more people turning to two beds — and even two homes.
In his video, Johnson — who once declared himself an “impossible partner” — answered the question of whether someone should sleep with their partner, admitting he never has.
“Yes, you heard that right,” the founder of longevity startup Blueprint said in the video. “Kate and I have separate beds and separate homes.”
He further explained in a post on X that the only thing he and Kate do in bed “is have sex,” which is unsurprising given his public boasting about his girlfriend’s near-perfect punani.
His reasoning? Tucking in with a partner causes too many disruptions to sleep, a key factor in longevity, with a bad night’s rest speeding up biological aging.
Johnson cited a 2020 study of 55 couples who woke up around six times per night, triggered by their partner.
However, even the self-dubbed “immortal uncle” admits the science is split.
A different study of 12 heterosexual couples found that sleeping together increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep by 10% and tighter syncing of sleep stages between partners.
Sleep data also varies by gender, with women sleeping worse with a man in bed while men sleep better with a partner.
Being together may be better in the end, though, with Johnson sharing a 2022 survey of 1,000 adult couples who slept together self-reporting sleeping better overall, less insomnia, less fatigue and better mental health.
“Happier and healthier people may just be more likely to share beds,” Johnson concluded.
Couples who have their own nighttime abode have said the unique arrangement has helped their relationship thrive.
“We began our relationship with this setup,” Kelsey Thompson previously told The Post about her dual-bedroom setup with her husband, which features two full-fledged primary bedrooms.
A 2023 survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that 35% of Americans sleep in a separate room from their partner either occasionally or consistently.
The concept has gained enough traction that sleep experts, relationship therapists and even hotels have begun catering to couples seeking better rest without sacrificing romance.
Harvard Health even published guidance for couples navigating separate sleeping arrangements, noting that many report improved sleep quality and reduced tension.
When it came to whether someone should rest alone or get cozy between the sheets with their significant other, the biohacker said it depends.
“For some couples, sleeping together improves sleep,” Johnson said. “For others, separate beds might save your sleep or your relationship. Possibly both.”
But while they may not be sharing a bed anytime soon, Johnson will always have something personal from Tolo nearby, with some of her menstrual blood in his freezer.
