Spinning when falling asleep: Why does the body do that?

Actually, I walk through life quite safely. At around 11.30 p.m. I plunge unusually. I then slip off the curb, fall on the stairs or straight out of the window.

That’s correct. Or not as you can see. In fact, I’m not on the road at night than other people, it is the time to which I usually fall asleep. It is not uncommon to find myself in one of these tiny dream sequences and have the feeling that I suddenly lose the ground under my feet. At the same moment, twitching through my body chased as if an electric shock had caught me.

Such falling asleep is an experience that most people share with me. They apparently occur by chance when falling asleep, usually only affect only one side of the body, the left arm and the left leg and are much more common in adults than in children.

But why does that happen?

Spoiler: You don’t know. But there are a few theories that could explain it. This brief striking of the body and other types of myoclonies – as doctors call twitches like this – begin in the same part of the brain, which also controls the fright reaction. It is believed that when falling asleep there is sometimes a misfiring between nerves in this brain area (reticular brain stem), which then leads to a twitch.

The brain may incorrectly interpret the lashing of the muscles as a danger, which triggers muscle contraction. This would make the twitches a kind of protective mechanism. It is also possible that you are a physical reaction to the dream -like images that you sometimes accompany.

On the other hand, there is an agreement on the assumption that certain factors increase the likelihood of twitching. Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine can remain in the body for about several hours and disturb the sleep, which in turn favors the twitches. The same sometimes happens in the event of permanent sleep disorders as well as stress or anxiety disorders. Some people who often experience hypnotic twitches can even develop fear of sleep themselves, which increases the likelihood of further twitches.

And then there would be sport. It actually improves the quality of sleep and prevents the twitches. In the late evening, however, the sweaty activity could increase the risk of twitching of sleep.

Basically, the twitches are quick, involuntary muscle movements. This can be a single or several consecutive twitches. In addition, dream -like sequences often occur in which one seems to fall, for example. Others experience, bright or flashing lights, or they hear banging, cracking noises. In most cases, the twitches are painless, although some people report on tingling or the like.

Some of the twitches are strong enough to shake up the person and to interrupt the sleep process. Sometimes only the sleeping partner notices the twitches. They can occur at any age, but they are more common in adults. This may be due to the fact that some of the possible causes such as caffeine consumption and increased stress in adulthood are also more common.

Sleeping twitches may be worrying, but they are not dangerous. However, there are symptoms that are similar to hypnotic twitches and should better be clarified by a doctor. Suckings can be confused, for example, with the restless legs syndrome or a neurological problem called periodic movement disorderthe extremities. And if you feel multiple, persistent muscle contractions during the day, this could also be a sign of a disease.

There is no safe way to prevent twitching. However, it helps to forego alcohol and nicotine and ensure relaxation before sleeping. Everything that makes you shut down is allowed: reading, meditation or even quiet music.