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sometimes misinterprets these physiological changes
15. signs of falling.
16., it
sends quick signals to the muscles to contract, leading to a jerking movement. This reaction
is believed to arise from a misfiring in the reticular activating system, the part of the brain
that regulates wakefulness and sleep. In simple terms, your muscles suddenly twitch-- as if
your body is instinctively trying to grab onto something to avoid falling.
Although a hypnic jerk is often accompanied by the sensation of falling, the two don't
17. a hypnic jerk, but many people
always occur together. The falling sensation may
experience one without
18. In fact, some jerks are so mild that the sleeper remains
unaware that they've happened.
Several factors can increase the
19. of hypnic jerks, including stress, excessive
caffeine consumption, and irregular sleep schedules. Even poor sleep posture can play a role.
Sleeping in an awkward or unsupported position may amplify the sense of instability, making
the brain more prone to misread your body's relaxation as falling.
Frequent or extremely disruptive hypnic jerks could be a
20.
sleep disorders, in
