An expert has explained why you can’t get back to sleep if you wake up between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.
It isn’t uncommon to wake up during the night but when it happens, especially if it’s frequent, it can be frustrating.
Now biohacker Dave Asprey has provided a reason why you may be experiencing this, and how you can tackle the problem.
Asprey, from New Mexico, U.S.A., is a self-proclaimed biohacker, which is a person who attempts to improve their body or brain through biology.
The author and entrepreneur, who has no medical degree or nutritional training, claims to have spent millions on biohacking, including injections of his stem cells, taking supplements daily, following a strict diet, and using a hyperbaric chamber.
He also wears amber sunglasses, which help manage artificial light, meaning improved sleep.
Asprey, who is in his fifties, claims biohacking has improved his s**ual health and that he expects he will live to 180 years old.
In his quest for human advancement, the biohacker says he has found the solution to why you may wake up early and how to stop it.
“For most people who wake up between 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. and can’t go back to sleep, that is a crash in your blood sugar,” Asprey claims.
“Most people who wake up feeling that way – ‘Oh look, my blood sugar dropped’ – and the body said oh I needed some glucose to power my brain to do its cleaning process at night.”
He continues: “But the problem is, cortisol and adrenaline wake you up. While the brain gets what it wants, you don’t get your sleep.”
So how do you prevent experiencing restless hours? The biohacker suggests having a small snack before heading to bed.
He advises: “Try raw honey, collagen, MCT oil, or mix all three together.”
MCT oil, or medium-chain triglyceride oil, is a dietary supplement made from a fat type that is easier to absorb and digest than other fats. It’s usually distilled from coconut or palm kernel oil and is a highly concentrated MCT source.
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Sleep expert Dave Gibson weighed in on Asprey’s advice and revealed the biohacker is ‘factually correct,’ however, adds there are ‘more mechanisms at play.’
He tells the Mirror we’re ‘supposed to start rising at this time as part of our natural wake-up cycle,’ adding: “The first few cycles are rich in deep sleep, while the later cycles, especially after 3 a.m., include more of the lighter sleep.”
If you find yourself waking between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., Gibson suggests dealing with your stress before going to bed.
