Feeling totally wiped out, you finally crawl into bed, ready to dive into a deep sleep. Just as you start to drift off, your body suddenly feels like it’s falling, and you jerk awake to stop that fall. You wake up right away, confused about what just happened.
No matter how many times this occurs, it always catches you off guard, and it never gets any easier. That falling feeling can be really scary, leading to a quick, unexpected jump.
If you’ve experienced this at least once, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, around 70% of people go through this, which is called hypnic jerks (or sleep starts). The exact reason for these sudden movements is still a mystery.
While there isn’t a clear explanation for why hypnic jerks happen, there are two main theories that try to explain it. One theory suggests that these jerks occur because your nervous system is naturally slowing down as you fall asleep.