Why is it when you are falling asleep you experience a sensation that you've tripped or fallen and then you wake up thinking and feeling like you really did, this seem's to have happened to alot of people i know including myself, has it happened to you? why do you think this happens?
2006-08-25 02:28:52 · 26 answers · asked by JD 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
My theory is it's almost like a computer restart.
When you're sleeping, relaxed, dreaming...your mind switches gears and I believe it attempts to locate all portions of your body (including extremeties.)
The mind can be very insecure and turns toward the body as it's physical anchor. In doing so, it activates many nerve impulses and due to the state of the body (lower blood pressure is common when sleeping), it combines to make that falling sensation.
Does that make some sense?
Just a guess.
2006-08-25 03:54:22 · answer #1 · answered by David W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This has happened to me a few times. I don't know why it happens.
Getting out into the "out there" world, I know that a lot of people believe it has something to do with astral projection/out of body experiences. They believe that the sensation is caused by a return to the body, even though the person may not remember the experience of being out and about (or they assume it was all a dream). For what it's worth, that's the only theory I've ever read on the phenomenon.
2006-08-25 09:36:05 · answer #2 · answered by Daisy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that has happened to me a lot!! I can't explain how real it feels... I really think I am falling a long ways down until I wake up and realize that it really wasn't happening! I always have to catch my breath and relax for a minute before I can go back to sleep!
2006-08-25 13:29:54 · answer #3 · answered by jlee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happens to a lot of people.
I think it's related in some way to PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder) but I'm not sure.
I have PLMD and my legs jump around in my sleep like I'm being shocked by 220V. Really, it looks like riverdance in my bed sometimes.
My personal belief is that everyone has some of this but with most people it manifests in the fall-startle-wakeup dream. BTW I have this VERY often -probably more than most- that's why I connect the two
Here's another answer - actually, this makes a lot of sense:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060814165305AAftNBS
2006-08-25 09:31:14 · answer #4 · answered by Salami and Orange Juice 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
our minds cant tell the difference between what is real, and what our brains tell us is real...
ive had plenty of strange dreams, where i woke up still feeling physical sensations that i felt during the dream... the ones i hate most are when you are JUST falling asleep, and you dream that you trip.. i always seem to open my eyes and 'wake up' just as i trip, and a second later i twitch as if i've hit the ground... even though my eyes are open and im awake...
the mind is a pretty powerful tool..
2006-08-25 09:33:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had that happen. Also experienced the feeling of "drowning" as I fall asleep like if I don't wake up immediately I will die. When I get the "drowning" feeling I don't sleep well.
2006-08-25 10:20:59 · answer #6 · answered by ModelFlyerChick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am trying to remember the term for it. It is very normal. When that happens you are about to fall into a deep sleep.
Hypnic Jerks is a term that has been given to this occurance. It is what the body does to prepare for a transition from being awake to a period of restoration.
Good Question!
2006-08-25 09:31:00 · answer #7 · answered by MoMattTexas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it usually happens with me.It happens bcos when ur thinking something or are tensed up and u r not speaking it up or solving ur problem,ur mind is preoccupied wth those unsolved queries...it remains in ur unconscious mind which later comes out in the form of falling,tripping etc.
2006-08-25 09:34:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have no idea why but when I'm falling asleep most of the time i have the same sensation of falling somewhere gently also
2006-08-25 09:31:39 · answer #9 · answered by D.J. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is actually caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure which happens as you fall asleep sometimes, it causes you to wake up suddenly, often just after dreamimg you are falling fast. hope this helps!
2006-08-25 09:44:16 · answer #10 · answered by twystiejunior 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋