What is the feeling of falling when your trying to get to sleep called, and why does it happen?

Question

It seems to happen to nearly everyone but no one I've asked has anymore information besides that they've experienced it.

Answer 1

It's called hypnagogic myoclonic twitch, or "hypnic jerking" and the best information I have found on it is this website.

http://www.failedsuccess.com/index.php?/weblog/comments/falling_sleep_hypnic_jerk/

Answer 2

A hypnic jerk does not explain the sensation of falling. Hypnic jerks, in theory, are caused by the brain turning off the voluntary motor response in preparation for REM sleep, except in these cases there is essentially a adverse reaction to the disconnection, that causes a jerk. The exact mechanism is unknown. The turning off of the voluntary motor response, is a normal act of sleep, and if this didn't happen we would all sleepwalk, every night.

I experienced the sensation of falling on several different occasions, all of which caused me to voluntarily jump. This is in contrast to a hypnic jerk, which is involuntary. The last time I experienced the sensation of falling, just before falling asleep, I simply did nothing and let the sensation continue. This lasted for several minutes and even continued after I opened my eyes. After the initial fear, not of falling, which is a sensation that I love, but of some underlying medical emergency that was causing me to feel this way, subsided, all I felt was peace and calm. Eventually, after approximately 5 minutes, the sensation went away and I haven't had another episode since.

This doesn't explain why the sensation of falling occurred in the first place, but I suspect it is some form of pyschosomatic projection from the unconscious mind, and/or, a metaphysical experience. Either way, and in the absence of an explanation, I'd like to think that it was a lesson to confront fear, which is usually strongest when dealing with the unknown. I supposed I passed, because as I mentioned earlier, it hasn't happened since. I hope this provides some help. I'm not an expert in this field. I'm a paramedic with a degree in psychology and an avid metaphysics nut!

Answer 3

Almost everyone has at some time had the alarming dream of falling from a great height. Some say that it is triggered by a dip in blood pressure, movement of the fluid in the middle ear, or a limb dangling off the bed. It has even been suggested that fears of falling are instinctive echoes from early in man's evolution when we used to live in trees. Persistent dreams of this nature may be a metaphor for loss of emotional equilibrium. You need to unwind before you go to bed. Programme your subconscious, before retiring, by listening to gentle music and visualising tranquil scenes. I hope this explanation helps.

Answer 4

Tis called a "hypnic jerk" I did read somewhere that it was an old reflex to keep us from falling out of trees when we were monkeys but I don't know how much truth there is in that. The interesting thing is that when you dream you're falling, the dreamis made up in the split second you have the hypnic jerk. Your brain makes up a dream to explain the falling sensation, weird.

Answer 5

It has to do will synapses in the brain - something to do with left over energy going off giving you a twitch or feeling of falling when asleep. Our psychology teacher talked about it.

Answer 6

It is common. You might want to talk with your doctor and see about have a sleep study done. I get mine on October 17th

Good luck.




Below is one of several links that may be helpful.

Answer 7

It happens to me sometimes, I always wake up befoe I hit the ground as does everybody... has anybody here survived a sleep fall? :)

Answer 8

Too many in a bed.

"And the little one said, roll over, roll over, so they all rolled over and one fell out now there were eight in the bed and the little one said, roll over, roll over".....