An insomnia specialist has cautioned people about the potential dangers of repeatedly waking between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., warning that it may signal underlying health issues.

A doctor has spoken openly about the risks associated with waking during this specific window, admitting that the pattern once “wrecked” his own life. While waking in the night is common—often due to needing the bathroom—regularly jolting awake between 2 and 3 a.m. could indicate that something deeper is going on.

Dr. Eric Berg DC, who shares educational content online about health and wellness, has encouraged people to take note of when they wake up at night, not just how often.

Dr. Berg’s experience

In a recent YouTube video, Dr. Berg explained that cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone—should normally be at its lowest point between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. However, for some people, cortisol actually spikes during this period, disrupting sleep and negatively affecting daily functioning.