My mind jerks to an awake state...

**slayer** · 04-24-2009 05:16 AM

So this is what happens...

I'm going to sleep, just thinking up random fantasies in my head. I will definitely start to notice when I'm falling asleep. I know the feeling of being awake, and when I'm about to fall asleep.

The only problem is this, when I can feel my mind getting "deeper" my mind instantly jerks to an awake state. I'm not sure why it does this, or how to stop this from happening.

Any suggestions?

Edit: Ah, this should have gone in sleep and health...if an admin wants too, they can move it there.

**Ivy** · 04-24-2009 06:48 PM

yeah that happens to me too, but I think its because I am listening for noises in my house, any small noise wakes me up, I have a lil baby, so even if im sleeping, im conscious I have to watch for her. Another thing that happens to me, is that when Im going in to a deep sleep, I will hear something fall or break, or like someone slamming the door, and Ill jump out of bed, and I've noticed those noises are in my head and didnt really happen, I dont know why it happens though.

**Snowy Egypt** · 04-24-2009 09:34 PM

Hypnic Jerk.

I hate them, yet I love them.

**slayer** · 04-24-2009 10:50 PM

Some researchers suggest that as a subject's heartbeat and breathing slow down, hypnic jerks occur as a natural part of muscular transition.

This sounds like what might be causing it. I can definitly feel my heart and breathing rate go down, or as if it feels I'm not even breathing. I'm not sure if I am or not though...but that sounds like what's causing my mind to jerk.

**wet_roof113** · 04-25-2009 12:01 AM

OMG I know exactly what your talking about!

it's annoying because I can only get hypnotic imagery etc when I'm in that more unconcious mind-wandering state, but then it goes away when I become 'aware.'

I think it's really normal just that a lot of people don't tend to care or to investigate it.

I've had maybe I think 2 experiences this year when My mind will constantly jerk myself to awareness every thirty seconds or so because when my mind starts to wander I get this weird falling/swimming sensation in my head. And I literally cannot sleep for the whole night... I wonder if this is what some insomniacs deal with...

**Hazel** · 04-25-2009 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Snowy Egypt

Hypnic Jerk.

I hate them, yet I love them.

I'm not really sure about that. Hypnic jerks are when your whole body goes through a huge muscle spasm. What slayer is describing seems to just be in his mind.

I have this problem as well. As soon as I feel that I am starting to go into hypnagogia my mind instantly snaps into awareness and the images fade. SKA's playing dead technique seems to be the only way I can avoid this.