Drained and exhausted, you finally slip into bed, ready for a deep, much-needed sleep, when suddenly your body starts to feel like it’s falling. In a split second, it jerks awake to stop that fall, pulling you right out of your drowsy state. You lie there, startled, wondering where that unsettling sensation came from.
No matter how many times it happens, you never get used to it. The experience is always abrupt, often terrifying, leaving you with an involuntary, shocking jump that jolts you awake.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Up to 70% of people experience this phenomenon, known as hypnic jerks (or sleep starts). While it’s a common occurrence, the exact cause remains uncertain.
There are a couple of theories, though, as to why hypnic jerks happen. One suggests that they occur due to the nervous system naturally downshifting as your body transitions into sleep. Though the exact reasons remain unclear, it’s a strange and sometimes unsettling experience shared by many.
