He added that magnesium levels in the body are typically lowest around 6 a.m., which may help explain why certain medical issues—such as heart attacks, strokes, and restless leg syndrome—often occur in the early morning hours.
Other possible causes
Dr. Berg emphasized that cortisol spikes aren’t the only reason people may wake up around 2 a.m. Low blood sugar can also trigger cortisol release, especially in people who consume high-carb diets. As blood sugar drops during sleep, the body may increase cortisol to stabilize it.
He suggests reviewing what you ate the previous day, noting that refined carbohydrates, MSG, alcohol, late-night eating, and frequent snacking can all interfere with sleep.
Salt cravings may indicate low sodium levels, which can also influence cortisol. Adding small amounts of sea salt throughout the day may help in such cases.
