Hypnagogic Jerk

Ok, this weird thing happens to me and it pisses me off. I lay down/reposition myself, and after about 1-3 minutes, I get "shocked" from my brain and I jump and it wakes me up. I read one day that this is called a Hypnagogic Shock. This happens infrequently, usually I only experience it once per half a year. It varies greatly, and its usually two in one night. The reason I came here, is because last night (1am) I had four. I lay down and one minute later, and got shocked. A second time. And the third time I tried to immediately close my eyes because I remembered something about sleep paralysis and some people get shocked, (they open instantly) and I got shocked again (4th time) really quickly (30 seconds later). One thing I can think of to add, I feel like I am literally about to sleep, but then get shocked. I also do not ever visualize anything, my mind feels mostly blank, nothing like falling and hitting the ground.

Does anyone know how to prevent this, or what it really is? It stresses me out and keeps me up.

Haha nope. It just happens. It'll pass.

ok. I read it could be due to lack of sleep, which would make sense

I have an irregular sleep pattern so I get this pretty frequently -- about a few times a month. Sometimes it can make you sit up in bed a little, but usually you'll just throw open your eyes really fast and maybe have some minor involuntary muscle movements. Just go with it and get back to trying to sleep.

Haha usually I'll end up swining a fist or jumping or something.

You'll go right back into sleep though.