Ever find yourself waking up just minutes before your alarm goes off?
Annoying, right? But there’s actually a scientific reason behind this oddly common phenomenon.
Picture this: you wake up groggy, thinking it’s the middle of the night, only to find your alarm is set to go off in five minutes.
Do you get up or try to grab those precious extra minutes?
Either way, it feels unfair—but it’s all thanks to your body’s internal alarm clock.
PER Protein is the Culprit
The culprit? A protein called PER, which plays a key role in your sleep-wake cycle.
According to the Daily Star, PER peaks in the evening and drops off at night, helping you feel drowsy and easing you into sleep—especially if you have a consistent schedule.
About an hour before your usual wake-up time, PER levels start to rise, along with your blood pressure and body temperature.
This combination lightens your sleep and prepares you for the day.
