A biohacker has claimed to have found the reason why some of us wake up between 3 and 5 am and then find it hard to go back to sleep. Dave Asprey, an Instagram lifestyle influencer known as the “father of biohacking”, invented the DIY approach to health where people alter their lifestyle, diet, and body among other things to add years to their lives.
Asprey doesn’t hold any medical degree, nor has he had any nutritional training. He has spent $2 million to try and reverse his biological clock. He is the man behind the controversial Bulletproof diet which encourages people to have less carbohydrate and more fat in their diet.
Some people claim to have seen benefits, but the British Dietetic Association has listed the Bulletproof diet as a fad diet.
Now Asprey says he knows why people wake up at night and also provides a solution to fix the problem.
“For most people who wake up between 3 am to 5 am 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 says that to trigger this extra boost of glucose during the night, the body releases the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. This glucose is stored in the muscles and liver.
However, “cortisol and adrenaline wake you up”, he says, adding that “while the brain gets what it wants, you don’t get your sleep.”
Offering a solution, he says if this happens to you, then have a snack before going to bed. “Try raw honey, collagen, MCT oil, or mix all three together,” he says.
What is MCT oil?
MCT oil is made up of triglycerides, a form of fat, and is available as a food supplement. This fat is found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and some dairy products and is easier to digest compared to other fats.
Raw honey and MCT oil are believed to help sustain energy levels and prevent blood sugar crashes. However, there is no conclusive proof and one should always consult a medical practitioner before choosing to add something to their diet.