Daisy Kane

Just another chick with a blog

And the word for today is “Hypnic Jerk”

November24

Last night I scared the crap out of my husband…unintentionally.   

My body does this thing while I’m falling asleep and I never knew what caused it or that it actually had a name.  Basically what happens is a single, whole-body “twitch” that occurs when I’m falling asleep.  It feels like it happens once I reach the point that I actually fall asleep.  It happens fast and I can’t predict that it will happen.  However, it is similar to the feeling of being startled, that “jump” that you experience but it affects my whole body in a lying down position.  I can describe it as well as that point where you are dreaming that you are falling and you startle yourself awake. 

On another blog I read someone describe it as “popping the clutch” while my body is shifting from awake to asleep.   It doesn’t hurt but for the first time I jumped enough that my husband felt it.  I thought he always had felt me do it as I usually have to flop over and find another comfortable position.  I’ve been doing it for awhile and never really thought any more about it until my last night’s mild freak out.

So today I decided to use the magic of Google and type in a search for a startle reflex while falling asleep.   According to Wikipedia, the twitch is called a “hypic jerk.”  An involuntary twitch that occurs as a person is falling asleep.  Yep, that’s me.  Turns out they are not really sure what causes it but could be attributed to lack of sleep or stress…yep, me too.

Who knew?  Does this happen to you?  If it does, leave a comment below.

posted under Just Stuff
11 Comments to

“And the word for today is “Hypnic Jerk””

  1. On November 24th, 2009 at 2:04 pm Peter Says:

    Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.

  2. On November 24th, 2009 at 3:49 pm R Says:

    this happens to me too! I was just looking it up today online. :)

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