Drained and exhausted, you finally settle into bed, ready to drift into a deep sleep, when suddenly, it feels like you’re falling. Just as quickly, your body jerks awake to stop the fall. You’re jolted out of your slumber, wondering where that unsettling sensation came from.
No matter how often it happens, you never get used to it. The abruptness is always the same, and it never feels any less startling. The sensation of falling can even be terrifying, ending with an involuntary and sudden jump that leaves you momentarily shaken.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Up to 70% of people experience this phenomenon, known as hypnic jerks, or sleep starts. While the exact cause remains a mystery, it’s a common occurrence.
Though there’s no definitive explanation, one theory suggests that hypnic jerks occur as your nervous system naturally winds down as you transition into sleep.