Doctor Reveals Why We Experience Nightly Twitches Before Falling Asleep

A physician, Dr. Kunal Sood, who specializes in acute and chronic pain management in Maryland, USA, recently shed light on the mysterious phenomenon of waking up in a sudden jolt during sleep, which is commonly referred to as a ‘hypnagogic jerk‘ or ‘sleep start.’

A hypnagogic jerk is a peculiar experience where you abruptly feel as though you’re plummeting to your doom, often accompanied by involuntary twitches in your limbs. During this moment, your heart rate and breathing tend to slow down, while your muscles begin to relax. It’s at this juncture that many individuals encounter a hypnagogic jerk, sometimes coupled with visual hallucinations.

Dr. Sood offered an insightful explanation for this phenomenon. He explained that when our muscles start to unwind during the initial stages of sleep, our brains can become momentarily ‘confused’ and interpret this muscle relaxation as a signal that we are falling. In response to this perceived threat, our brains trigger a jerk reflex to prevent us from falling.

These sleep starts generally occur during the transition from stage one to stage two of sleep. They are more likely to manifest in individuals who experience anxiety, sleep deprivation, or consume stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine. Some scientists posit that the brain inaccurately interprets the body’s state during the onset of sleep. Essentially, it “thinks” you’re still awake but notices that your muscles aren’t moving, prompting it to send signals to initiate muscle activity.

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Although hypnagogic jerks can be startling, it’s important to note that they are entirely harmless and seldom indicative of any underlying medical condition or neurological disorder.

Many people expressed their gratitude for Dr. Sood’s clear and concise explanation, sharing their own encounters with sleep starts. One woman mentioned that her husband has experienced these jerks every time he falls asleep over the 14 years she’s known him, using it as a telltale sign that he’s drifting off into slumber. Another person revealed that these jerks have been a lifelong occurrence for them, while a third individual shared their experience of nightmares about falling followed by a vigorous twitch that awakens them from their sleep.