Callum Jones
Ever feel like you are falling into an abyss when you're nodding off? Well, according to one doctor it's pretty common, and here's why.
It can be pretty annoying, right? You've had a tough day at work and in much need of some sleep, but as you drift off, your body suddenly jolts and you're back to square one trying to fall asleep once more.
While it can certainly provide a bit of a fright in the middle of the night, one doctor has stated that while there are often triggers that cause it, it's actually 'totally harmless'.
Doctor Amir Khan, who regularly appears on ITV daytime shows such as Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, took to Instagram to explain the sudden jolting sensation.
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He explained: "Have you ever felt you're falling just as you nod off? That sudden jolt awake is actually called a hypnic jerk and, as you drift into sleep, your muscles relax, and sometimes your brain interprets that as falling.
"It's a misinterpretation, so it sends a quick signal to your body to catch you, and that's why you twitch awake. Now, some scientists think it's an ancient survival reflex, back to when we slept in trees."
The health expert continued: "A sudden twitch might have stopped us from actually falling. It's totally harmless. More common when you're stressed, have caffeine late or you're just super tired.
"Next time it happens, don't panic. It's just your brain being quirky. Totally normal. Totally harmless."
'Hypnic jerks' or 'hypnagogic jerks' typically occur when you're falling asleep, though it can also take place shortly before REM sleep.
While it may be most common to happen shortly before you nod off, health experts say jolts are also possible during different sleep cycles throughout the night.
"It tends to occur in stages one or two of sleep and disappear in stage three, which refers to rapid eye movement sleep. In other words, they occur when a person transitions from a wakeful state to a sleeping state," Medical News Today states.
To avoid these jolts from occurring, it's advised to avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bed. Reducing your intake of all of the above throughout the day is also advised.
Exercising before bedtime is also not wise, while doctors say you should try and regulate your kip so you are going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.