Why You Feel Like You’re Falling

Most people have experienced this sensation when going to sleep at some point in their lives

YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE difficulty getting to sleep each night. But even when you have managed to start drifting off, something inexplicable brings you back to consciousness: an ineffable sensation of falling.

That feeling goes by several names: a hypnic jerk, hypnagogic jerk, sleep start, or sleep twitch. According to Sleep.org, they’re incredibly common; 70 per cent of people have experienced the sensation at some point. Although usually harmless, their origins are still a bit cloudy.

Certain factors play a role in the likelihood of experiencing hypnic jerk. People who are consuming a lot of caffeine, undergoing significant emotional stress, experiencing sleep deprivation, or taking part in demanding physical activities in the evening are more likely to experience it. There is also evidence pointing to a link between the common

depression and anxiety medication escitalopram and an increased risk of experiencing hypnic jerks.

Beyond the risk factors, sleep experts have some theories about how the jerks start. Clinical psychologist Michael Breus specialises in sleep disorders and believes that the jerks can be the result of one of two things. Your brain, as it begins to fall asleep, may misconstrue the meaning of your muscle relaxation, attributing the sensation to falling. To protect you from hurting yourself on impact, your muscles tense up. The other theory is that as your nervous system shifts into sleep mode, and the twitches are needed for your muscles’ transition from an active state to a dormant state.

The jerks shouldn’t really be a cause for concern unless they begin to really cut into your sleep schedule. If that’s the case, go see a doctor.