Does anyone know what 2:30 a.m. represents in the circadian rhythm?

Question

I used to see an alternative medicine doctor who often referred to the circadian rhythm and I recall that different organs had different times that they would work or expel depending on their function.

Does anyone have further info on this "phenomena"? I have been waking every night/morning at 2:24 a.m. for the past week or so. It is coinciding with some lifestyle changes so I am trying to figure out what it could be related to.

One being that I recently started taking a multi-vitamin rather than getting my vitamin supplementation only from foods and or specific vitamins.

I have also started meditating pretty seriously with a buddhist group. Prior to that meditating was a little less formal and more for the purpose of relaxing. Now it is much deeper and longer than before so I am uncertain if I may have opened up some spiritual "doors" so to speak.

So basically I am looking for any input as to whether this could be caused by a physical trigger or a spiritual one. It should also be said that when I wake up I am often pretty emotional as if I had an upsetting dream or that something startled me out of sleep.

Answer 1

Of course I can't speak to your specific situation. But perhaps these words will give you some insight into your experience.

In Asia, and especially China, there is a body of wisdom about the energies of various times of the day and night.

Long ago in China it was known that the period between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. was a particularly auspicious time in which to make important decisions of state. The emperor would rise and consider important issues at that time.

It was said that the universal chi (not the same as, but related to, individual chi) was very stable at that time of the night.

The next two hour period, between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., is thought to be especially beneficial in the development of clear spiritual energy, provided that one uses this time properly.

The energies of the day continue through two-hour cycles around the clock.

I've done long retreats in Asia where the wake-up bell is at 3 a.m. every morning. Walking across the temple grounds at that hour is a remarkable experience, not only because of the brilliant sky but because of the incredible energetic stillness of the universe. It's a great time to practice.

As the sun comes to the horizon, that calm energy dissipates and is replaced by a more outwardly-focused energy. This is when work periods are scheduled at the temples.

It may be that your whole self is responding to the formalization of your meditation practice.

Formal meditation strengthens the dantien (Chinese for "energy garden"), which is the source of our personal chi, about 1.5 inches below the navel.

So your practice may simply be giving you more energy. But, because you've only recently undertaken more practice, this energy might be somewhat unstable -- emotional.

As you continue practicing, this instability will probably pass. And you may start sleeping through the night. That won't mean, however, that your practice is less powerful, just that your energy has become more stable.

May this (long and rambling) answer benefit you!

Answer 2

Just a few thoughts to add to those other great answers:

The liver is most active around 3am. Milk Thistle supports the liver.

Waking in the 'early hours' can be associated with adrenal exhaustion. The pattern is falling asleep easily then waking in the night and not being able to go back to sleep. Caused by stress. This doesn't sound like the cause for you.  

B vitamins can cause wakefulness. Try taking your supplement at breakfast if you are not already. But it would have more the effect of impeding sleep onset rather than waking you up.