Why You Sometimes Feel Like You Are Falling When You Sleep

You are lying comfortably in bed. Your eyes are closing. You are almost asleep. Then suddenly— JUMP! It feels like you have fallen from somewhere high. Your body jerks awake and your heart starts beating faster. For a moment, you may even wonder what just happened. This surprisingly common experience is known as a hypnic […]

You are lying comfortably in bed.

Your eyes are closing.

You are almost asleep.

Then suddenly—

JUMP!

It feels like you have fallen from somewhere high.

Your body jerks awake and your heart starts beating faster.

For a moment, you may even wonder what just happened.

This surprisingly common experience is known as a hypnic jerk, also called a sleep start or hypnagogic jerk.

It is a sudden, involuntary muscle movement that can happen as a person transitions from wakefulness into sleep.

According to sleep-health resources, hypnic jerks are generally common and usually harmless. They can sometimes feel like falling, tripping or being startled. (sleepfoundation.org)

The exact reason they happen is not completely understood.

One explanation is that as the body begins relaxing during the transition to sleep, the brain may misinterpret the sudden change in muscle activity as movement or falling.

The result is the sudden jerk.
Looking for the latest sports odds and markets? Check them out here.
For some people, the experience happens occasionally.

For others, it may happen more frequently during periods of stress or tiredness.

Caffeine can also be a factor.

Drinking large amounts of coffee, energy drinks or other stimulants, particularly later in the day, may make it harder for the body to settle into sleep.

Irregular sleep schedules may also contribute.

Interestingly, the experience can be accompanied by vivid sensations.

Some people feel as though they are falling.

Others report hearing a sudden noise, seeing a flash or experiencing another brief sensation as they fall asleep.

These experiences can be startling but are not necessarily signs that something is seriously wrong.

However, if unusual movements are frequent, severe or consistently interfering with sleep, it is worth discussing them with a healthcare professional.

The same applies if the movements occur while you are fully awake or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

For most people, however, the occasional feeling of falling as they drift off is simply one of the strange things the human body can do during the transition into sleep.

So the next time your body suddenly jumps and you feel as though you have fallen from a building, don’t panic.

You probably haven’t fallen anywhere.

Your brain and body are simply making the strange transition from being awake to being asleep.