From 3AM Panic Attacks to Deep Sleep
Waking at 3AM with racing heart, chronic anxiety, and complete dependence on sleep medication for 4 years.
Sleeping 7–8 hours uninterrupted within 6 weeks. Off all sleep medication within 3 months.
The Challenge
For four years, this client — a senior executive in financial services — was waking at exactly 3AM with a racing heart, drenched in sweat, and unable to fall back asleep. Despite seeing three sleep specialists and trialling multiple medications, nothing provided lasting relief.
Previous attempts included CBT for insomnia, melatonin supplementation, magnesium glycinate, and prescription sleep aids. Each provided temporary improvement before the pattern returned. The client was averaging 4 hours of broken sleep per night, and cognitive performance at work was declining rapidly.
The Genetic Discovery
Slow COMT (Val158Met — Met/Met) + Fast MAO-A
Genetic testing revealed a Slow COMT variant combined with a Fast MAO-A enzyme. This meant the client was accumulating catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline) during the day but burning through serotonin too quickly. The 3AM waking was a classic cortisol spike driven by catecholamine overload — the body's stress chemicals were not being cleared, and the calming neurochemistry was depleted.
The Protocol
- 1
Removed all stimulants (caffeine, pre-workout) to reduce catecholamine load on the slow COMT pathway.
- 2
Introduced targeted amino acid therapy: L-Theanine (200mg) and Taurine (1g) before bed to support GABA production.
- 3
Added 5-HTP (100mg) in the evening to replenish serotonin depleted by the fast MAO-A enzyme.
- 4
Implemented a strict 'cortisol wind-down' protocol: no screens after 8PM, 10 minutes of box breathing, and red-light exposure only.
- 5
Adjusted meal timing to include a small protein-fat snack at 9PM to stabilise overnight blood sugar and prevent the cortisol spike.
The Result
Sleep duration increased from 4 hours to 7.5 hours within 6 weeks. Resting heart rate dropped from 78 to 62 bpm. Morning cortisol normalised from 28 nmol/L to 16 nmol/L.
The client described the change as 'getting my brain back.' Decision-making speed and confidence at work improved dramatically. The 3AM waking pattern resolved completely by week 4.
"I spent four years and tens of thousands on specialists. Six weeks with the right genetic data changed everything."