The results appear in the January 7 issue of Nature . There may be other processes during sleep, like dreaming, that can be regulated voluntarily. Born's work also demonstrates how some people seem to be able to get up when they need to without using an alarm clock. Waking up is often an act of will, and not an involuntary response. The brain keeps track of time and can adjust ACTH levels on demand.
People often report waking just moments before their alarm is supposed to ring.
Born's study not only explains how that is possible, it implies that we could exploit that ability much more than we generally do. The new findings also emphasize that ACTH gives the body tremendous flexibility in adjusting to sudden changes in sleeping patterns. If you plan your day, including when you want to wake up, you can be better prepared. The Walt Disney Company. Back to Homepage .