You’re quietly drifting off to sleep… when suddenly, a sudden falling sensation jolts you awake. Rest assured: this phenomenon, while unsettling, is more common than you might think. Let’s dive into the causes of this sleep mystery and discover how to get back to more peaceful nights.
The moment when body and mind switch off
As we fall asleep, our bodies gradually transition from a state of active wakefulness to a state of deep rest. This transition is manifested by a slowing of brain waves, a drop in heart rate, and muscle relaxation.
However, sometimes our brain interprets this sudden relaxation as a real fall. As a result, it triggers an emergency reflex to protect us, causing this sudden jump, known as a hypnic spasm .
