Falling before/after sleep?

**BenHull** · 02-18-2015 10:32 PM

I have no idea about anyone else here, but when I've relaxed for a while in bed, shortly after, just when I'm about to sleep (or maybe have slept) I jerk sometimes. I'm not sure why but briefly before I guess I kinda envision falling off a bike or similar. This natural or am I just weird?

**Blueline** · 02-19-2015 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by BenHull

I have no idea about anyone else here, but when I've relaxed for a while in bed, shortly after, just when I'm about to sleep (or maybe have slept) I jerk sometimes. I'm not sure why but briefly before I guess I kinda envision falling off a bike or similar. This natural or am I just weird?

It happens to me occassionally too. Right at the moment I'm about to enter my dream world. Nothing unusual about it IMO. usually weird stuff like I'm about to trip or fall off of a chair. Drives me nuts sometimes. 😜

**TravisE** · 02-19-2015 07:52 AM

Yep, this is a hypnagogic jerk. They happen to almost everybody. Sensations of falling are quite common with them, and others are possible. Sometimes when I jerk awake I'll have a vague recollection of a hypnagogic hallucination, such as a bright flash or a loud, sharp sound that didn't actually happen. (I used to get falling sensations often when I was younger, but not much nowadays for some reason.)

**JustASimpleGuy** · 02-20-2015 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by Travis E.

I used to get falling sensations often when I was younger, but not much nowadays for some reason.

Same here. I used to get them frequently when I was younger, but I can't remember the last time. I do still get a sensation of gently floating either up or down, but it's a pleasant sensation and not startling like the jerk. I'll also here sounds, voices, etc... and drift into what seems like the kind of mini-dream when I drift off after a heavy lunch, not really asleep but not totally awake either.

**ThreeCat** · 02-20-2015 02:39 PM

For some reason, I only get these before the first cycle of sleep. If you just "fall into it," you can fall asleep consciously.

**SearcherTMR** · 02-20-2015 09:50 PM

Same here. It happens a lot either within a dream or while relaxing. When it happens within a dream, it is accompanied by a falling dream image. When awake (relaxing), my feet just jerk - sometimes quite hard. My wife finds that very strange ...

Originally Posted by ThreeCat

... If you just "fall into it," you can fall asleep consciously.

I didn't get what you mean ThreeCat. Can you describe this in a little more detail?