If you’ve listened to the Joe Rogan Experience for any length of time, you know Joe is basically a walking lab rat for human optimization. He’s tried the carnivore diet, stem cell injections in his shoulders, and enough vitamins to fill a CVS. But one of his most consistent health "obsessions" isn't about getting jacked or smart—it’s about not dying in his sleep.
Honestly, Joe Rogan used to be a mess when the lights went out. He’s been vocal about having severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where your airway literally collapses while you’re unconscious. He’s described it vividly: waking up gasping for air, feeling like he was being strangled, and his wife basically fearing for his life because of the sheer volume of his snoring.
For a long time, the standard fix for this is a CPAP machine. You’ve seen them—the bulky bedside units with the hose and the mask that makes you look like a fighter pilot. Joe tried it. He hated it. So, he went looking for a "snoring mouthpiece" instead.
What is the Joe Rogan Snoring Mouthpiece?
When people search for the "Joe Rogan snoring mouthpiece," they are usually looking for a specific device he’s shown on screen or talked about during episodes with guests like Dr. Matthew Walker or James Nestor.
It isn't a cheap $20 guard you buy at Walgreens. It’s a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD).
Basically, these are custom-fitted dental appliances that you wear while you sleep. They work by physically pulling your lower jaw (the mandible) slightly forward. Why? Because when your jaw moves forward, it takes the base of your tongue with it. This keeps the back of your throat open and prevents the soft tissue from vibrating—which is exactly what snoring is.
The Specific Device Joe Uses
Joe has mentioned his specific mouthpiece on several occasions, even pulling it out of his pocket to show guests. While he doesn't officially "endorse" one brand as a paid sponsor in the way he does with Athletic Greens, he has identified his device as a custom-made oral appliance. Specifically, he has worked with specialists like Dr. Ted Belfor, who is known for the Vivos system and the Homeoblock device.
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However, the "mouthpiece" he often shows on the podcast—the one he once showed a fellow passenger on a plane who was gasping for air—is a custom-milled MAD.
Why He Ditched the CPAP for a Mouthpiece
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the gold standard for sleep apnea, but the compliance rate is notoriously low. People find the masks claustrophobic.
Joe’s take was pretty simple: the mouthpiece is just easier. You pop it in, your jaw stays put, and you can actually move around in bed. He told guest James Nestor (author of Breath) that when he doesn't wear it, he snores "like crazy." When he does wear it? Total silence.
It’s about airway management. If you’re a "mouth breather" at night, your tongue falls back and blocks the pipes. The mouthpiece acts like a doorstop for your throat.
The James Nestor Influence: Mouth Taping vs. Mouthpieces
It’s impossible to talk about the Joe Rogan snoring mouthpiece without mentioning the James Nestor episode (JRE #1506). This episode changed how a lot of people think about sleep.
Nestor argued that many of our snoring issues come from the fact that our jaws have become smaller over evolutionary time due to soft diets. This leaves less room for the tongue. While Joe uses a mouthpiece to advance the jaw, Nestor introduced Joe (and millions of listeners) to mouth taping.
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- Mouth Taping: Using a small piece of surgical tape (like Micropore) to keep the lips shut.
- The Goal: Force nasal breathing.
- The Result: Nasal breathing naturally humidifies air and prevents the tongue from sliding back as easily.
Joe has experimented with both. While the mouthpiece is a mechanical fix for his apnea, he’s a huge advocate for the "breath" philosophy—basically, keep your mouth shut at all times unless you’re eating or talking.
Does the Mouthpiece Actually Work for Everyone?
Look, Joe Rogan is a 200-pound guy with a thick neck from years of Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. People with "power lifter necks" are at a massive risk for sleep apnea because the sheer mass of the neck puts pressure on the airway when they lie flat.
For someone like Joe, a mouthpiece is a life-saver. But there are nuances:
- TMJ Issues: Pushing your jaw forward for 8 hours a night can hurt. Some people wake up with a "misaligned" bite that takes an hour to click back into place.
- Mild vs. Severe: Mouthpieces are generally great for snoring and mild-to-moderate apnea. For "I stop breathing 60 times an hour" severe apnea, doctors usually still insist on a CPAP.
- Cost: A real-deal mouthpiece like Joe’s—custom-molded by a neuromuscular dentist—can cost between $2,000 and $5,000.
What About the "Mouthpiece Guy" Guards?
If you search for "Joe Rogan Mouthguard," you might find a company called Mouthpiece Guy. They actually make custom athletic mouthguards for Joe for his MMA training and sparring.
Don't get these confused. An athletic mouthguard protects your teeth from a spinning back kick. It does not stop you from snoring. In fact, wearing a thick athletic guard to sleep might actually make snoring worse because it takes up more "tongue real estate" in your mouth. If you want the "Joe Rogan sleep fix," you're looking for an appliance that moves the jaw, not just covers the teeth.
How to Get Results Like Rogan
If you’re tired of waking up feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck, or your partner is threatening to move to the guest room, here is the "Rogan-adjacent" protocol for fixing your sleep:
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Get a Sleep Study First
Don't just buy a "boil and bite" mouthguard off an Instagram ad. Joe actually went to specialists. You need to know if you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. You can do at-home sleep tests now (like Lofta or Wesper) that give you data on your oxygen desaturation.
Look for "Mandibular Advancement"
If you want to go the mouthpiece route, look for an FDA-cleared MAD.
- Budget Option: Over-the-counter adjustable guards like SnoreRx or VitalSleep. They let you "dial in" the advancement of the jaw.
- Pro Option: Visit a dentist who specializes in sleep medicine. They will take a 3D scan of your mouth and build a device that fits your bite perfectly.
The "Stack"
Joe doesn't just use a mouthpiece. He optimizes the environment:
- Eight Sleep Pod: Joe uses this cooling mattress cover to keep his body temperature low (around 65°F or 18°C is the sweet spot).
- Side Sleeping: Sleeping on your back is a death sentence for snorers. Joe has mentioned that staying off the back helps the mouthpiece do its job.
- Nasal Dilators: Some people use "Mute" or "Intake" nasal bands to open the nostrils from the outside.
The Bottom Line
Joe Rogan’s snoring mouthpiece isn't some "snake oil" supplement. It’s a legitimate medical tool used to treat a condition that causes heart disease, stroke, and early death.
He uses a custom-fitted Mandibular Advancement Device to keep his airway open. It’s the reason he can record three-hour podcasts without looking like a zombie. If you’re a heavy snorer, the "Rogan fix" is less about a specific brand and more about the mechanical reality of pulling your jaw forward so you can actually breathe.
Actionable Next Steps
- Record your sleep: Use an app like SnoreLab tonight. It will record your snoring and give you a "Snore Score." It’s a wake-up call to hear what you actually sound like.
- Try the "Nestor" method: Buy a roll of $5 3M Micropore tape. Put a tiny vertical strip over the center of your lips tonight. If you wake up feeling 20% better, your issue is mouth breathing.
- Consult a Sleep Dentist: If you have the budget, skip the plastic junk online. A custom device is the difference between a restless night and actual REM sleep. Search for "ABDSM certified dentist" in your area to find an expert who knows exactly what Joe is talking about.