Circadian Rhythm Disruption: How a Misaligned Internal Clock Fragments Sleep, Drives 3AM Wakeups, and Reduces Sleep Depth
Overview: Circadian disruption occurs when the body’s internal ~24-hour clock — controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus — loses alignment with the external light-dark cycle or with the body’s own organs and tissues. Five mechanisms link circadian disruption to fragmented sleep, 3am wakeups, and light shallow sleep: Orexin timing misalignment — the suprachiasmatic […]