Dec 23, 2024
The Mystery of Hypnic Jerks: Why We Twitch as We Fall Asleep
Hypnic jerks, or sleep starts, are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that occur as you fall asleep
Hypnic, short for hypnagogic, refers to the transition from wakefulness to sleep, when these jerks occur
It happens randomly as you fall asleep, usually affecting one side of the body, like the left arm or leg
Researchers aren't sure what causes hypnic jerks, but there are several theories
The brain misinterprets muscle relaxation before sleep, triggering a hypnic jerk
The brain thinks you're falling and tenses your muscles to "catch yourself"
It's a natural part of transitioning to sleep, where nerves in your hands and legs misfire
Hypnic jerks are harmless and can occur in healthy people of all ages
Hypnic jerks can be intensified by stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and excessive caffeine or stimulant use
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