Hypnic Jerks: My Experience & Coping Ideas

Dark photo of a couple in bed, with the words on top "when you're just about to fall asleep, but your arm jolts you awake"

Have you ever woken up with a sudden jolt just as you were falling asleep? Maybe it felt like one of your arms or legs had an involuntary spasm?

Perhaps you’ve woken with the feeling of falling, saw a flash of light or heard an unexpected noise. If this sounds familiar, it could be that that you’ve experienced hypnic jerks.

In most cases, a hypnic jerk or two is thought to be a harmless part of the process of transitioning from being awake to asleep. However, if you’re concerned by the severity or how much they disrupt your sleep, or if you have spasms during the daytime, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor.

In this article, I’ll be talking about my experience of hypnic jerks, and how I cope with my partner’s episodes. After that, I’ll cover some background information and coping strategies.

Contents

My experience of hypnic jerks

My own experience of hypnic jerks is that they are usually quite mild and only happen once or twice a week – as far as I’m aware. Just one or two small twitches of a hand or arm seems to be the norm on the nights I have them. After that, I typically fall asleep quite quickly, and if I do have any more, I don’t remember them.

A few times a year, I experience a much bigger jolt that feels like one side of my whole upper body spasms or jumps in bed. I’ve noticed that these tend to happen when I’m particularly tired, such as when travelling or if I’ve hit the gym especially hard that day. Again though, I usually fall asleep fairly soon after one of these more dramatic episodes and they don’t cause me any distress.

Living with someone who has more frequent hypnic jerks

My partner, who kindly agreed for me to talk about her in this article, has multiple hypnic jerks every night without fail. As a bit of a light sleeper myself, her twitching has a tendency to keep me awake until it finally subsides, especially because they are sometimes very pronounced.

Interestingly, like my own hypnic jerks, I only notice her hands and arms making any movements. Even when we have our feet touching, they never seem to twitch. It’s always her upper body.

They also seem to follow a pattern. There may be two to five small movements or twitches over the course of a minute or two, and then one big one. If we are holding hands at the time, it sometimes feels like an intermittent pulsing of her hand, followed by either a tighter squeeze of my hand as her fingers contract or a sudden movement of her whole hand or arm to one side.

They rarely seem to wake her up on their own, but sometimes they cause me to move in bed, which then wakes her up. If she does stir and I jokingly tell her she just had an epic twitch, her usual reply is ‘oh really? I must be falling asleep!’

Her hypnic jerks are nightly, and can go on for several minutes after we turn the light out. They are so predictable, that I’ve learned to accept that it’s likely I won’t fall asleep myself unless I sleep on the other side of the bed with no physical contact or I wait until she’s fallen asleep if our bodies are touching. And if she wakes up to go the bathroom in the middle of the night, and I’m awake too, the hypnic jerks often start all over again.

How I cope with our combined hypnic jerks

For me, the main thing is to always keep in mind that they are likely to be normal and nothing to worry about in both our cases. Fortunately, they don’t last long, so I don’t lie in bed worrying about my occasional twitches.

I harbor no resentment towards my partner just because her hypnic jerks keep me awake for a few minutes. It’s quite likely it would take me that long to relax and fall asleep anyway, with or without her spasms.

Finally, one of the key points I try to remember is that they can be seen as a sign that sleep is probably just around the corner. Even if I have a more dramatic jolt, I just smile to myself and look forward to the next phase – sleep.

As you’ll see in the following sections, there are some lifestyle factors that may be involved in hypnic jerks. For me personally, they are all things I try to do anyway, not specifically for the hypnic jerks. But I do feel that stress is an important one for both of us to keep an eye on, as the hypnic jerks anecdotally seem worse during periods of higher stress.

As someone who has had hypnic jerks for as long as I can remember, and more recently am living with a partner who has them nightly, it’s interesting to see what the current scientific thinking is around hypnic jerks. Let’s take a look.

Different names

First of all, if you look up hypnic jerks online, it’s worth bearing in mind that they are sometimes referred to by different names:

  • Sleep starts.
  • Night starts.
  • Sleep jerks.
  • Hypnagogic jerk.
  • Myoclonic jerks. A myoclonus is an involuntary muscle twitch, with hiccups being another harmless example.

What are hypnic jerks?

Hypnic jerks are the sudden, involuntary twitching of one or more muscles when you’re falling asleep. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders manual describes them as follows:

Sleep starts, also known as hypnic jerks, are sudden, brief, simultaneous contractions of the body or one or more body segments occurring at sleep onset. Sleep starts (or hypnic jerks) usually consist of a single contraction that often affects the body asymmetrically. The jerks may be either spontaneous or induced by stimuli.

International Classification of Sleep Disorders – 3rd Edition

The fact that they often occur asymmetrically explains why it might feel that just one arm or leg jolts. Furthermore, they can occur independently or in response to external stimuli in the bedroom, such as your partner moving or external noise.

The Mdsmanuals.com website explains a key difference between physiologic myoclonus and pathologic myoclonus. It states that physiologic myoclonus can occur when a person is falling asleep or during early sleep phases, whereas pathologic myoclonus can result from different disorders and medications.

In a review paper in 2012, Dora Lozsadi neatly explained this difference as follows:

Myoclonus is a brief (less than half a second) contraction involving agonist and antagonist muscles, leading to a sudden jerk. It may be a normal phenomenon, as in the so-called ‘sleep starts’. When pathological, myoclonus is a symptom of a broad range of neurological and systemic diseases.

Dora Lozsadi

Symptoms

The most common symptom is the sudden twitching, spasm or jolting sensation of one or more limbs. Some people might have other experiences, such as:

  • The feeling of falling.
  • A shock sensation.
  • Hearing a sudden noise.
  • Seeing a flash or unusual light.
  • Hallucinations.

In addition, researchers have noted that it’s possible to have a physiological response, such as a faster heartbeat, increased breathing rate or sweating.

If you do have symptoms that feel more severe than simply twitching, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor about your experience.

How common are hypnic jerks?

If you have hypnic jerks, then rest assured you’re not the only one whose wayward limbs seem to have a mind of their own at bedtime. In a study in 2016, Italian researchers suggested that between 60% and 70% of people experience hypnic jerks, both men and women and people of all ages.

What causes hypnic jerks?

As is often the case in the complex world of sleep, the exact cause still isn’t completely understood. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders manual offers this technical explanation:

Hypnic jerks are hypothetically caused by sudden descending volleys originating in the brainstem reticular formation activated by the system instability at the transition between wake and sleep.

Or in layman’s terms, your brain and body are briefly a little bit out of sync as you relax and go from being awake to being asleep.

Factors that may increase the frequency and severity of hypnic jerks

Although the exact cause is still up for debate, researchers have suggested several factors (such as this 2015 paper and this 2023 paper ) that might increase the severity or likelihood of hypnic jerks happening, such as:

  • The use of caffeine or other stimulants. Medline.com has more information on the side effects of caffeine.
  • Anxiety or stress.
  • Fatigue, such as from intense physical work or exercise.
  • Sleep deprivation.
  • Certain medications.

Is it caused by another condition?

A review of hypnic jerks literature by researchers at the University of Alabama raised an important point. They proposed that hypnic jerks are often seen as benign, but could in some cases be a ‘characteristic of certain illness’.

They also suggest that hypnic jerks are more prevalent in chronic health conditions that disrupt sleep and could also be ‘mimicked by other movement disorders’.

Some of the differential diagnoses they say should be identified include:

  • Nocturnal seizures.
  • Nonepileptic seizures.
  • Parasomnias.
  • Hyperekplexia.
  • Restless legs syndrome.
  • Periodic limb movements in sleep.
  • Excessive fragmentary myoclonus.
  • Psychiatric diagnosis.

In addition, the Italian researchers in the 2016 study (see above) found that hypnic jerks are common in people with Parkinsonism. The Alabama team also suggested it could be helpful in diagnosing the condition.

Finally, don’t confuse sudden wakings from hypnic jerks with sleep apnea. If you, or someone you know, wakes suddenly gasping for breath or with loud snoring, this should be discussed with a doctor.

I don’t want to cause panic with the above information, but I think it’s good to be aware that ‘usually’ benign doesn’t mean ‘always benign for everyone’. Again, if you’re concerned about your own experience of hypnic jerks, it’s okay to raise it with your doctor, even if you think it’s likely to be normal. Peace of mind is valuable!

Reader survey results

Way back in 2014, I conducted a short survey for readers to share their experience of sleep starts. The results are of course biased because the people who voted were already searching for information about the topic. With thousands of people participating though, I think the results are still interesting.

1. Frequency

In the graphic below, you can see how often voters experienced hypnic jerks. It’s interesting to note that many readers had them on a daily basis. The largest percentage of 42.2% say they have them occasionally though.

chart of poll results into how frequently people have hypnic jerks

2. How they affect your sleep

Here you can see that many people were able to sleep well after an episode. 43.9% of people say it disrupts their sleep at first, but then they sleep okay.

no sleepless nights hypnic jerks poll 2 - how they affect your sleep.

3. The role of stress and anxiety

The final poll shows how people feel about the impact of stress or anxiety. 50.8% thought anxiety or stress ‘definitely’ makes their hypnic jerks worse. It could be that tackling stress or anxiety in your life is a good idea if it’s relevant to you.

chart of the poll results for how much people think stress or anxiety make hypnic jerks worse for them

Do you need to see a doctor?

While sleep experts often suggest that hypnic jerks are benign in most cases, they do recognise that they can have a negative impact on some people’s sleep and well-being.

If your hypnic jerks aren’t severe and you don’t have any other symptoms or health concerns that are worrying you, then try to relax and allow yourself to fall asleep naturally when they occur.

However, if you have them regularly and/or severely, or have other symptoms, you might want to raise it with your doctor. If they think it’s a sign of another disorder, they might ask you to do a sleep study or further tests.

They might also offer to prescribe medication to reduce the frequency. And importantly, they can offer reassurance if that’s the appropriate course of action and give you advice about healthy sleep habits that might be beneficial in your case.

Finally, despite what I’ve said, trust your instincts. If you just ‘have the feeling’ you’d like to speak to your doctor about it, then do so.

How can you stop hypnic jerks?

It might not be possible to totally stop hypnic jerks from happening. Accepting them as normal and harmless is perhaps your best option if they aren’t severe.

Additionally, the following self-help ideas might be worth considering:

  • Cut down on caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants – especially in the evening.
  • Reduce how much intense work or exercise you do in the evening. Do exercise in the morning or afternoon instead.
  • Eat a balanced, healthy diet.
  • Use a comfortable mattress and bedding.
  • Sleep in a comfortable position.
  • If you suffer from anxiety or stress, do some relaxation exercises in bed. One simple breathing exercise is to inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, then exhale for a count of 4.
  • Try not to allow yourself to get too tired. You may understandably have a busy and tiring lifestyle. But it’s important to give yourself enough time to sleep well.
infographic with self-help ideas for hypnic jerks and good sleep

Avoid the vicious cycle of worry

Hypnic jerks may trigger a vicious cycle of worry if you become fixated on them.

If you worry about hypnic jerks, you might start to get less sleep and become more fatigued. The problem then is that if stress and fatigue can contribute to the frequency of hypnic jerks, you might find yourself in a vicious cycle.

The key is not to allow the occasional sleep start to disrupt your sleep any more than it has to. Again, try to relax, forget about it and go back to sleep.

Readers’ tips for coping with hypnic jerks

In the comments below, many readers have offered suggestions for reducing their hypnic jerks. So I’ve compiled a list of the most common and interesting ideas.

These ideas don’t all have medical backing and are anecdotal. Please take them with a pinch of salt. But you might find the ideas useful if nothing else has helped.

  • Try to see the funny side (I do this myself).
  • Magnesium supplements have been helpful for some readers, as has rubbing magnesium oils or transdermal magnesium into the area where you most commonly twitch. One suggestion was to get a blood test to check if you have a deficiency. Disclaimer: please discuss supplementation with your doctor as there is no conclusive evidence that magnesium helps with hypnic jerks.
  • Assess your current diet. Make sure it’s healthy and balanced. Eat less processed sugary and salty foods. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
  • If you follow a special diet, such as being vegan, pay particular attention to your vitamin and mineral intake, such as the B vitamins. Ensure your diet includes the right quantity, and preferably get your B vitamins through food rather than supplements if possible.
  • Don’t drink alcohol, coffee or energy drinks for a week and see if it improves.
  • Don’t stress about it, as worrying makes it worse.
  • Try to properly deal with any major source of stress in your life.
  • If you suffer from anxiety, take steps to tackle this in your daily life.
  • Stop doing very intense exercise late in the evening for a week and see if it improves.
  • Try to see them as a sign that you must be falling asleep. So it’s a positive thing as you know you’ll soon be asleep.
  • Ask your doctor if any medication you currently take could contribute to your hypnic jerks.
  • Check if medication you’re taking has a known side effect of myoclonus. If it does, raise it with your doctor.
  • Experiment with different sleep positions if you sometimes feel uncomfortable in bed.
  • Don’t go to bed very late at night.
  • Film yourself sleeping or use a sleep tracker. One reader said he discovered through doing this that he was snoring, and that the hypnic jerks occurred while he was snoring heavily.
  • Some female readers feel that it can be connected to hormonal changes.
  • Ask for a referral to a sleep clinic if it’s particularly troubling.
  • Ensure you have a quiet sleeping environment. It could be a sudden noise which startles you awake.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • If you’re being bothered by them repeatedly, get up and do something relaxing for 10-20 minutes, then try to sleep again.
  • Have a warm shower before bed. Then do relaxation exercises before getting into bed or while in bed.
  • If you do exercise, it could be excess lactic acid contributing to hypnic jerks. So try looking into ways to reduce the lactic acid.

Your views

It’s always interesting to hear your experiences, and I know many readers have benefited from reading the stories and advice of others.

So please keep your comments, tips and theories coming. And if you have any practical ideas for dealing with hypnic jerks, I’ll continue to add them to the list.

1,237 Comments

  1. Been experiencing this almost every night for the last few weeks and as I wake, most of the time I see something, not necessarily scary as such, but scary because it shouldn’t be there. I have come to dread sleep time.

  2. Im being shocked while I sleep at the exact same time (around 3:30am). My fan in my room slows down and my night light gets very dim and I am paralyzed and can’t even think. Then very suddenly, everything returns to normal. I called my electric company and they told me about other complaints and that it is an electrical issue. How can I stop this power surge that is shocking me at night? the headaches are so bad that I can’t find an appropriate word for them. It’s really driving me nuts.

    • Hi Steve
      Thanks for your comment. Are you sure it’s a real electrical shock? It could be something happening in your sleep, such as sleep paralysis or sleep hallucinations.
      Regards
      Ethan

      • Yes it is a real paralyzing electrical shock that dims my lights and slows my fan to almost a stop for about 15 seconds then everything returns to normal. It is causing the paralysis. It is between 3:30 and 3:45 every night for 4 nights now. I unplug my computer and wifi modem and turn off all devices. I have had an electrician out and spent $240 for him to test everything and check for breaks in the protective coating in the wiring. Everything came back fine. My room is very close to the outdoor power lines (approx. 10 feet) and I think it’s due to atmospheric charging. But this is only my best guess. Last night was worse because even after I stood up, I would keep pausing and getting paralyzed for a few seconds and once again the fan slows down and the lights dim. WHILE STANDING UP! The strange part is that my IR camera is completely white and is so bright during these times. I cant see anything on my security cameras when it occurs.

        • Hi Steve
          In that case I’m not sure I can provide any answers for you. I’m not sure what kind of professional you’d need to make further tests to put your mind at ease.
          Regards
          Ethan

      • Yes it is electric. Even after I wake up and stand up, it happens again and again. Same effects ie. lights dim, fan slows down to almost a stop and I can’t move or thing. But the last 2 nights have been fine. I am thinking it’s related to something electromagnetic. Least that was what I got from some people I consider to be professionals. I told my doctor all of this and he said the same thing as you, that it was sleep paralysis and wanted to give me pills until I asked him why my lights and fan were getting sleep paralysis.

        • Hi Steve
          Have you considered leaving a camera filming your bedroom – pointed at a fan or light? Then if you wake up and find this happening, if you see it happened on the film, you’ll know it was electrical and not sleep paralysis or other hallucination. If nothing shows up, then you can perhaps consider sleep disorders.
          Regards
          Ethan

  3. Hi there when I get them I am sometimes gasping for breath,also I never get them if I doze off on the settee in the evening.They seem to happen more often when going to sleep on my side,Mike.

    • Hi Mike
      Thanks for your comment. Have you spoken to your doctor about this? Any incidents involving gasping for breath should be checked out, just to make sure it’s not sleep apnea.
      Regards
      Ethan

  4. Dear Ethan Green,

    I have read your article with great interest. I’m a master student at the university of Amsterdam studying Brain and Cognition and following the current course, sleep and cognition. Since both my girlfriend and my mother seem to experience hypnic jerks I was motivated to further research this topic. I have found a lot of articles regarding this topic (Hypnagogic state, e.a transitional state or rhythmic sleep disorders) but I wanted to ask if you mind sharing your scientific literature with me if available.

    Secondly, a different but more specific question do you have any idea if the hypnic jerk only appears during the onset of sleep, or is it also possible to occur in the transitional state between the early sleep stages?
    To me, it seems possible that it could also happen between the transition of the REM stage and stage 1sleep related to the (de)activation of many processes.

    Hopefully, can you provide me with some extra information and literature on this topic.

    Kind regards, and keep on writing!
    – Jimmy

    • Hi Jimmy
      Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you found the article interesting. Unfortunately, I first wrote this article a long time ago, and no longer have the literature to hand that I referred to. It’s due an update though, so will receive the usual links to journals etc. that I do nowadays when I get round to updating it.

      In answer to your question, I just took a look at the ICSD-3 which may have some answers for you. Here’s a quote which I think you might find helpful:

      “Polysomnographic monitoring shows that hypnic jerks occur during transitions from wakefulness to sleep, mainly at the beginning of the sleep episode.”

      Furthermore, this next section also goes on to explain how there are similar movements which aren’t hypnic jerks, but occur at other stages:

      “Hypnic jerks must be differentiated from a number of physiological or pathologic movements that occur at sleep onset or during sleep.”

      I don’t want to copy and paste a massive section of the manual, but if you can access the ICSD-3, you’ll find more information about the different movements it refers to in that quote, including partial hypnic myoclonus, Fragmentary myoclonus, PSM, benign sleep myoclonus of infancy, hyperekplexia syndrome, epileptic myoclonus, PLMD and RLS.

      Regards
      Ethan

    • Solar charging may also be related to this. The electric company claims they get the most complaints between 3-5am due to the solar charging of the electrical wires. I have no solution for anyone of these effects, if indeed this is the problem. but at least you have some idea of what the problem might be.

  5. I’m only fourteen and I often get these hypnic jerks. I don’t think I have anxiety or anything like that, nor do i drink or smoke. But when i get a hypnic jerk, I’m having some pain in the back of my neck. I was starting to get a little worried so i asked my parents if something like that ever happened to them and they said no… should i be worried?

    • Hi Mina
      Thanks for your comment. Hypnic jerks are usually nothing to worry about – most people get them at some point. If you have physical pain in the neck and you’re worried, I’d ask your parents if you can speak to your doctor about it. They can set your mind at ease. It may be totally unconnected though – maybe try a different style/thickness/height of pillow and see if that helps?
      Regards
      Ethan

    • Every night about 10 times that’s what my husband tells me I’m tired and forgetful in the day…this is me as well. I’m 36 with 2 boys of one which is mildly autistic. It donhave many stressors but the past 3-4 months, I cannot recall NOT having at least 10 jerks a night. I’m so appreciative and happy I found this sight and I actually have a name for it for my doctor now! Xanax had helped but I don’t know how long I can or want to stay on them. I don’t drink or smoke and rarely have coffee so I know those aren’t factors. I’m exhausted from work and the boys and I’m desperate 3-4 hours of good sleep. I hope my doctor can help…

  6. Thanks so much for this article. I have been researching for a while and finally found the term. I quit smoking a few weeks ago which resulted in a bit of chest congestion and insomnia. I think the combination of the two have brought on hypnic jerks. These jerks really are jerks. I appreciate the information.

    • Hi Steven
      Thanks for your comment. I’m pleased you found the article helpful. It could be that the change and illness contributed to it. Hopefully you’ll get back to normal sleep soon. Good luck with the quitting smoking!
      Regards
      Ethan

  7. I am 46 and started having this body jerking sensations only a few months ago. At first it was once every couple of weeks, then more frequently and now several times a night. Last night I was woken constantly by these jerking movements. This only happens in sleep. Scares the life out of me because I haven’t been having a dream where I’m falling to tripping or anything… just these awful jerking movements. I drink coffee only in the morning, about 1 cup. I like my G&T, but not daily. Am on an anti-anxiety med and could be perimenopausal. Anyway. Scary. And I’m exhausted.

    • Hi Daniella
      Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you’re struggling with your sleep. I’d mention it to your doctor and see if they think it could be the meds. And do try the techniques in the article too and see if they help.
      Regards
      Ethan

  8. I find them
    Stress full and I get a really bad fright from them, sometimes I think I’m going to get a heart attack from the fright of falling and my whole body jerks, I find if I’m really tired they are worse.

    • Hi Mary
      Thanks for your comment. I know they can be stressful, but it’s good to try and stay calm about them. You can try some of the techniques in the article and see if they help. But do remind yourself that they are harmless – if you can, remind yourself that they mean you’re tired and sleep shouldn’t be too far away.
      Regards
      Ethan

  9. I had severe “jolts” at night for many years, really scary, but it stopped not long after I quit drinking coffee. I used to drink 3 to 5 cups a day.

    • Hi Johan
      Thanks for your comment. Yes, coffee can be a real problem when it comes to sleep. It’s great you worked that out and had success with stopping drinking it.
      Regards
      Ethan

  10. Mine is a bang behind my eyeballs, sometimes I can feel it coming on and wake myself up before it happens. When It does happen it is like I am lethargic for the rest of the day.

  11. The excessive body jerks don’t wake me, they do however wake my wife who in turn wakes me (grumbling or loudly sighing).
    The jerks that bother me are the occasional ones which happen very randomly at least 1 or 2 times a day. No warning, no way to stop it, yet very noticeable by others.
    Around the time it started, I noticed I am very sensitive to touch (I’ll react with a jerk when someone taps my shoulder to ask a question).
    I’m a personal trainer and I drink enough fluid, I also take a Calcium Magnesium +D3 complex daily. If I could get rid of stress without giving up my job or family, I would.
    Is there any recommendations to stop them from happening?

    • Hi Mike
      Thanks for your comment. Other than the ideas in the article, there’s not much more I can add. The only thing I wonder is if you’re doing a lot of physical exercise yourself? Some other readers have commented that they think it only happens when they train hard. Perhaps this is something to experiment with and see if it happens less on days you train less harder yourself.
      Regards
      Ethan

  12. I am 63 years old and I started having “body jerks” a few months ago…..I went to the doctors and she said to try and alleviate my stress and anxiety, Only my torso jerks, not my legs or arms…it’s like someone is jump starting my whole body…..I have been a caregiver for my mother for seven years now without a break and it is starting to wear on me………I believe that I need to find something to take my mind off my situation and probably this will help with my jerks. The jerks don’t scare me, they are just a nuisance and cause me the much needed sleep that I need in order to make sure my mom has the best care. I think I need to learn to cope better. NMN

    • Hi Nancy
      Thanks for your comment. I can understand the stress it causes you, but as you say, it might be good to try and deal with them in a different way. You can try some of the ideas in the article, but as your doctor says, dealing with anxiety might be good. I think you might benefit from doing breathing exercises in bed. They can help by both reducing anxiety and focusing your mind on something else.
      Regards
      Ethan

  13. I just had a hynic jerk and I thought it’s dangerous so I searched about it because I am afraid to fall asleep because I dont it to happen again. It just happend twice this night. The first one, I jolted awake with my feet thumping the mattress, it’s like a shock effect, I dont know but it feels like my brain had been like over worked out, like it’s sending multiple information and didnt handle it so it jolted me up. I cant explain it but the concrete sample would be a kettle in its peak stage of boiling making noises due to pressure it cant handle, although there are no noises in my brain during my sleep just multi brain works jolting me awake. It worries much. I thought I have a fever but I checked my body temperature it’s low so I had back to sleep and then the second hypnic jerk came; it’s like the first one but the difference was when I was about to be jolted awake I somewhat felt a sudde rapid raise in my temperature while my eyes are still closed then drops when I woke up. I often have hynic jerks an it’s annoying but this time it’s more annoying. I think my brain just had to much working done that’s why it came like that right?

    • Hi Belle
      Thanks for your comment. It’s hard to say why it happened like that. Hopefully it was just a one-off stranger than usual occurrence. Perhaps you were were over-tired, which is why it was stronger than usual. Try to get some good rest and you’ll probably find it doesn’t happen again.
      Regards
      Ethan

  14. I experience hypnic jerks every night. For me, I actually look forward to it: when I jerk, I know that I am finally close to sleep. When I have trouble getting to sleep, I don’t jerk. It’s a relief when I finally jerk because I usually fall asleep in just a few minutes.

    I also have RLS that has been getting worse, but I have had that more many years before I ever noticed a hypnic jerk.

    • Hi Kelly
      Thanks for your comment. That’s exactly how I feel about hypnic jerks. I think it’s a good thing to be able to see it in a positive way like this, even though it can be difficult if they happen a lot.
      Regards
      Ethan

  15. I never had sleep problems until 2010. Since then, my life hasn’t been the same. It began by being awakened after ~ one or two hours of sleep. I awoke with a tremendous startle and intuitively knew that some (inexplicable) long lasting change had just occurred. Since then, I’ve been unable to daytime nap, due in part to myoclonus or hypnic jerks. The jerks are (now) usually in my arms but initially (in 2010) they were in my neck and throat. Unfortunately, the myoclonus is the lesser of two problems I have endured. Essentially every night before falling asleep I have jaw dystonia/bruxism. Dystonia is a more accurate word for what occurs. I have severe involuntary jaw muscle contractions. Severe enough to have broken two teeth and required a crown extraction. I haven’t been able to get a dental implant because bruxism is a relative contraindication to implants. To make a very long story short, I have been everywhere (5 or 6 dentists; 5 or 6 neurologists) and tried every thing (sleep study, brain mri, lumbar puncture, eeg, botox, various medications). I have done most or all of the suggestions in this article (for myself, magnesium made the dystonia worse and I would never personally recommend it to anyone). After six years, I truly manage by the grace of God.

    • Hi Terry
      Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you’ve had such difficulties with sleeping and the resulting tooth damage. What was the best advice you received from all those doctors and dentists? Surely there must have been a common theme in their diagnoses and treatment recommendations?
      Regards
      Ethan

  16. Everyone please consider food and environmental allergies and toxins like mold. They can effect your brain and cause these symptoms. Eliminating wheat and soy, moving to a new place without mold, and opening windows at night cured me.

    • Hi Ace
      Thanks for your comment and interesting suggestions. It’s great that you found it worked so well for you!
      Regards
      Ethan

  17. Very helpful article
    I’ve suffered with anxiety for a long time and on sertraline for about a year and this has helped a lot.
    I’ve always had Jerks as I fall asleep but now it has changed into a shout as well, unsure why

    • Hi Jason
      Thanks for your comment, and I’m glad you found the article helpful. That is quite unusual – have you spoken to anyone about it?
      Regards
      Ethan

  18. I’ve had these for one year and they caused havoc in the beginning. I would suggest listening to binaural sounds for calming and nerve regeneration. They are free on YouTube and are a great tool.

    • Hi Juan
      Thanks for your comment. That’a a good suggestion – anything which helps you stay calm. I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but I also have an article listing some music I think is good for relaxation, along with spotify playlists. You can find the article here.
      Regards
      Ethan

  19. I’m 53, I started experiencing the muscle twitches about a year ago, during a stressful period.They happen several times every night, its annoying but I know I’m falling asleep as they start. I don’t know if they’ll ever stop.

    • Hi Mandy
      Thanks for your comment. You could try some of the tips in the article and see if they help. And if you know stress could be a trigger, it might be good to do some relaxation exercises before going to sleep.
      Regards
      Ethan

  20. Hi Ethan. I am doing some research for my mum. She keeps having a reoccurring dream in which she falls. When she wakes she feels very shaken and unsettled. This falling sensation is after she has been asleep for awhile and not as she is falling asleep. Have you ever heard of anything like this?

    • Hi Karen
      Thanks for your comment. It could be then that it’s not hypnic jerks, but a nightmare. One theory about why we dream is that we se it to practice events in real life which concern us. That’s a reason people have so many dreams of being chased or attacked for example. Perhaps your mum is worried about falling in real life. If so, maybe it would be helpful to speak to a professional about this, to get some reassurance? Just an idea!
      Regards
      Ethan

  21. Hi Ethan, thank for the very informative article. I experience several jolts at once, and wake up gasping for breath. It feels as if my heart or breath kick-started. I did had hypnic jerks in the past, the ones that you feel that you are falling, but what I experience at the moment is quite different and very strong, especially the multiple jolts at once. I have it on and off for many years, and the last months it got worse, so I was referred to a sleep clinic to see if I have apnea. I am constantly tired, and I don’t sleep very well, especially the nights that it occurs frequently.

    In the past I have also experienced the exploding head syndrome that you describe.

    • Hi Maria
      Thanks for your comment. Hopefully the sleep study will be able to get to the bottom of whatever is disturbing your sleep so much. And you can try out some of the ideas in the article here – hopefully they will help a little.
      Regards
      Ethan

  22. I have many of the same experiences as others, however one added component is my mind has a “random generator,” and my mind will flash to something often very odd then I get the jerking etc. Some nights after having these I merely sleep just below the surface and dream all night. I know I my REM sleep suffers. A couple of products I tried that helps some are: (1) “Calm Tabs” sold by Puritans Prid(contains Valerian Root, Hops, Passion Flower and a few other ingredients that help relax, (2) Magnesium Citrite, and (3) GABA. Be careful with malatonin, as too large a dose can have an effect on you the next day or night, (1 mg tops). If you drink alcohol to fall asleep, you may be kind of “passing out,” and then you have to “learn” how to fall asleep. Anyone have advice on the restless mind random thoughts generated by the min?

    • Hi, I am 60 years old and for many years I have drunk enough that when my head hits the pillow I fall asleep immediately. Recently I have nearly stopped drinking and now have problems sleeping I lie wide awake in my bed for hours. As I drop off to sleep my whole body shakes me awake like it does not want me to sleep.Why is this. I am very tired but it is like my body does no want me to sleep. Its not a jerk that I have experienced before when I have started to fall asleep in a chair and suddenly bolt upright as if I was falling. My whole body shakes as if I am shivering. Any ideas please.

      • Hi John
        Thanks for your comment. It’s not certain, but it’s possible it’s a withdrawal symptom from the alcohol. You could ask your doctor about this if you’re worried. It will stop eventually, as it’s usually a short period of time that it happens. It’s normally a good idea to reduce the quantity slowly, or get medical help to stop drinking, because of the risk of withdrawal symptoms. But if you’ve already been doing it, then hopefully it will subside. If you can speak to a doctor about it though, it might be a good idea to get their guidance and support.
        Regards
        Ethan

  23. Hi Ethan

    As promised I said I would let you know how I have gotten on with trying some of the suggestions.

    It has been a little over 2 weeks now since this issue started for me and my initial post to this blog. At this stage I wouldn’t say that the jerks have completely subsided but they are less frequent and not anywhere near as violent as they were when they started.

    Here is what I have been doing.

    1. I have cut down my caffeine intake to just 1 cup of coffee in the morning and not drinking any other caffeinated drinks.

    2. Doubled my water consumption to around 3.5 liters of water per day.

    3. Started eating a lot more fresh produce that contains magnesium such as bananas and avocados.

    4. Almost completely cut out alcohol.

    5. Changed my bedtime routine to include a long relaxing bath.

    This has really worked for me so thought I would share this with everyone else on the forum. I also think that now knowing that these jerks are not serious has also played a part in me not being so anxious therefore not exacerbating things more.

    -George

    • Hi George
      Thanks for your comment, and it’s great to hear from you again! It’s also fascinating and encouraging to hear that you’ve had some success with these methods. You may be right about anxiety playing a role too, but there’s no doubt that the healthier lifestyle you’ve adopted and more relaxing and stable routine will have a positive effect on your sleep.
      Well done for making these changes and I hope you continue to sleep better and better.
      Regards
      Ethan

  24. My jerking during sleep started a month ago, when I was diagnosed with Lyme disease.
    Wondering if that is a ‘common’ symptom of Lyme?

    • Hi Judy
      Thanks for your comment. I know some people do complain of muscle spasms and twitches with Lyme disease. You could try the tips in the article, but I’d check with your doctor first before taking supplements like magnesium
      Regards
      Ethan

  25. I am 56 years old and I have hypnic jerks for more than 1 years. Everytime I am about to fall asleep, my body will jerk me up. Sometime it is either the hand or waist that will jerk. The more tired I am, the harder the jerk which will wake me up. If I sleep on my left side, my right hand will jerk and if I sleep on the right side, my left hand will jerk. If I sleep on my side with both hand grasp together, my waist will jerk.
    I have see a psychiatrist which prescribe stilnox 12.5g and it work for awhile. I also see a neurologist which prescribed clanozepam which only work for 1 day as the body seem to be able to adjust to the medication. I have see a specialised in sleep disorder and was prescribed gabapentin which also work for 1 day.
    Now I am taking Chlorphenamine (piriton) 4 mg every night to help me sleep. It does not stop the jerking but I am able to fall into deep sleep after about 3 hours. Before I fall asleep, I still have jerk but I just lie on the bed and wait for the Chlorphenamine to take effect.
    I also have panic attack every 3 to 4 months and my psychiatrist prescribed Lexaton 1.5 mg which I only take 1 pill when I have the attack and it work straight away.
    I know my problem is due to stress because when I have less stress, the jerking also become milder.
    I also drink and if I drink alot of alcohol, I can have a good sleep but I can not be drinking everyday so I alternated between Chlorphenamine and alcohol. So far, with this arrangement, my medical report is good and manage to have a good sleep.

    • Hi Desmond
      Thanks for your comment. It sounds like you’ve had quite a range of medications there to try and help with sleep and other issues. Have you investigated ways to try and reduce the stress through other non-drug means? Perhaps it might help, if you know stress is a cause, to tackle it more naturally. An approach I recommend to readers regularly is mindfulness. It’s very helpful for dealing with stress, anxiety, worry etc.
      Regards
      Ethan

  26. This literally just happened to me, and I had no clue what it was called. Haven’t been getting the best sleep lately, and I have a bit of anxiety at work. I’ve had ranging feelings, anywhere from just a pulse behind my eyes, to making my whole body jump up into a sitting position. Thanks for posting this article. It has been very helpful.

    • Hi there
      Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you found the article helpful – that’s always good to know. Now you know what it is, perhaps you won’t find it easier to pass by and relax again afterwards.If you can, then best thing is to just stay calm, ignore it and go back to sleep.
      Regards
      Ethan

  27. I had pass out and pacemaker is inserted for the last 2 years. After hard work I use to watch TV after 8 hours hard work. after taking tea while watching YV I fall asleep and suddenly body jerk happens and balance my sitting position. Is this brain stroke problem or BP problems.

    • Hi H.L Mali
      Thanks for your comment. It could be a hypnic jerks from what you describe. But just to be on the safe side, you could talk to your doctor about it and ask their opinion.
      Regards
      Ethan

  28. My problem started about a year ago, when I was about 57. I sleep on my side and the upper leg jerks each time as I’m almost asleep. Then I roll over and try to use the now upper leg to, completely as possible, immobilize the lower leg so the jerking isn’t quite so bad. Sometimes it jerks intermittently for over an hour, each time as I’m almost asleep. No ‘I’m falling dreams’ and I can sometimes feel it building in the leg. Always just one leg. It use to happen here and there, but now it’s every night.

    • Hi David
      Thanks for your comment. Perhaps you could try the tips in the article and see if they help. Many readers have found that they can control it with a change in diet or supplements for example.
      Regards
      Ethan

  29. I’m 16 and I have been experiencing this for almost a year I think, it happens every few weeks. I can’t recall if I exercised those days or not. I go jogging in the morning or late at night so it’s not hot. When I experience these “hypnic jerks” It feels like I’m falling or tripping. My body twitches, like my back lifts up a little it’s almost like i was being shocked by those things that doctors use to bring patients back. I can fall asleep afterwards within minutes, but I would like to know or how to know why this is happening.

    • Hi Alfred
      Thanks for your comment. I think that really there isn’t much more of an explanation than in the article. It’s so common, that I think unless it’s severe and disrupting your sleep, the best thing is just to accept it as “one of those things” that happens to most people and is nothing to worry about and no need to try and work out the exact cause in your case. If you think of hiccups, for example, sure we can try and work out if we ate too quickly but really, we just laugh it off and wait for it to pass.
      Regards
      Ethan

  30. Hi There,
    Great website. I had the same issues & then went to a doctor who diagnosed me with Pyrolles Disorder. Really reduced the frequency of the jerks & is treated by natural vitamins which are made in a lab as body does not absorb zinc which is very important in functions of the brain/neurotransmitters to the brain. Hope this helps someone

    • Hi Joanne
      Thanks for your comment and the compliment – much appreciated! Your story is very interesting and perhaps it will help someone else. It’s great that you received the diagnosis and got help from your doctor.
      Regards
      Ethan

  31. I have a remedy, but I am afraid it can’t be used without a doctor’s prescription:

    Clonazepam 1mg tablet = 100% remedy

    Take 1/4th or half a tablet 1 hour before sleeping (only at night) . Sleep well! World Everytime… Without exceptions.

    I am now sure my hypnic jerks are related to my weight lifting sessions. 100% sure!

    They never happen other days. Just days with bodybuilding sessions or other heavy physical activity. The longer my weight lifting session, the worst they appear .

    • Hi Ham zed
      Thanks for your comment. You’re right in that that’s only a prescription medication and not the best to be taking if other things can be done. It’s interesting what you say about the gym work – others have said the same thing!
      Regards
      Ethan

  32. Hi Ethan. Laying in bed it’s nearly 3 in the morning and for me it’s day 2 of what almost definitely sounds like hypnic jerks. As I am just drifting off to sleep I am involuntary awakened by an almost electric shock followed by extreme anxiety. Have to say I have found this a really scary experience.

    I am going to try quite a few of your suggestions and will let you know how I get on.

    Thanks for an amazingly informative article which has somewhat put my mind at ease.

    • Hi George
      Thanks for your comment and your kind words. I’m very happy you found the article helpful. Let’s hope you have some luck with the suggestions – do let me know how it goes.
      Regards
      Ethan

  33. Hi. I’m posting a question. I have occasional hypnic jerks (they are less frequent now because of my accupuncture therapy). Even though I’m less affected by them now than previously, it still terrifies my the thought of needing to take anything chemichal, like antibiotics or shots (vaccines) and then have as a result frequent hypnic jerks again. Has anyone here had that experience of an increase in hypnic jerks due to antibiotics or shots? (My doctor says I need to take a tetanus vaccine and also hepatitis B vaccine, but I keep putting it off). Thank you.

    • Hi Ariana
      Thanks for your comment. I haven’t personally noticed this effect from taking antibiotics or shots. Perhaps another reader will also you as well with their thoughts. I think it’s important to get those shots though if the doctor advises it, scary as it may be.
      Regards
      Ethan

      • Taper from benzodiazepines slowly to avoid that much suffering. Hope you found that out before suffering too long.

  34. I have been suffering from this torture for over 3 years now. When it first started, I didn’t get a single minute of sleep for 4 days straight. I was terrified. Saw about 4 doctors including a trip to the ER and nothing they gave me helped. Even the strong Zopiclone only put me out for 3 hours and then back at it with the jerks. Finally I saw my old family doctor in desperation and tears and he prescribed me Clonazepam. I wasn’t hopeful but he assured me it would help. The first night I took a 1mg pill I slept a whole 6 hours. I was in years I was so happy and relieved. Fast forward a few years…I am still on Clonazepam. A very low dosage but sometimes need to take more from time to time. It pretty much gave me my life back…to some extent. But it really bothers me that I have to take a strong drug in order to sleep-something your body should be able to do naturally. This is a very scary, frustrating and depressing thing to go through. I’ve even had thoughts that death would be so much easier. I would never wish this upon anyone. And I know there are many others dealing with the same torture. Check out the blog “The man who cannot sleep” All I can do is pray and hope that my voice will be heard.

    • Hi Kira
      Thanks for your comment. I’m sorry to hear you’ve been struggling so long with sleep troubles, and the effect it’s had on your feelings. It sounds to me like you could do with some extra support. Have you spoken to your doctor about the low mood you’ve been feeling? It’s important to mention that you’ve been having such thoughts if you’re taking strong medication, because the doctor should think about whether or not it’s actually the best thing for you. They can also have a think about referring you to some kind of talking therapist. That’s always a positive step to take, and can help a lot with depressed moods. And if ultimately you feel bad about continuing to take the clonazepam, tell your doctor that! Maybe they can help you with alternatives and/or stop it and try some other approaches.
      Stay strong and don’t give up hope!
      Regards
      Ethan

  35. I’ve suffered with sleep jumping for the last 5years .. The best thing I’ve found is a 7.30pm bikram yoga class .. You will sleep like a new born. Try it ..

  36. Is it possible that your body doesn’t twitch at all during hypnic jerks? Or is one usually not aware of twitching muscles? Last night I had these jolts over and over again, probably about 20 times. I kept changing my sleeping position thinking it won’t happen again but it did, although sometimes they were more mild. I’ve had them before but only maybe two times in my life and then it only happens once in a night, so this was really strange. It feels like some force of sorts rushes from the top of my head through my brain. Eventually I fell asleep and I have a bit of a headache now in the morning. I wonder if I could have had some awareness of falling asleep which then freaked me out and woke me up. It seems different from a feeling of falling (I’ve had those too) but perhaps it’s a different way of experiencing the same thing. For me they definitely seem to happen when I feel more awareness during the day. Anyway, thank you for the article, it makes it less scary :)

    • Hi Rush
      Thanks for your comment. I’m not sure I quite understand the initial question though as it sounds like you did have the twitching sensation. But I think that yes, it’s possible that sometimes the body has hypnic jerks but you don’t realise because they are mild and don’t startle you awake so much as other times. What you say later does seem to happen to some people – the awareness itself can be distressful and trigger the mind to wake up and start thinking about what just happened and the whole concept of falling asleep. That in itself can then keep people awake.
      Regards
      Ethan

  37. Wow!
    This is such a wonderful and informative article!
    Thank you. I think I finally know what is happening to me.
    It all started a year sho when I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I am falling, I panicked and got scared that I was about to die. I ran to my husband and told him that I don’t understand what is happening, but I feel weird and shaky. I couldn’t fall asleep till the morning. As I was driving to work that day, I felt like my left hand was not mine. I got panicky again and took an exit to ER. My heart was racing as I made it to the ER. I felt embarrassed and started crying because I couldn’t even explain to the nurse why I came.
    The told me I was having a panic/ anxiety attack and gave me Xanax
    I went home and it all went away.
    I started acupuncture and chiropractic appointments as I refuse to be on Xanax every time it happens.
    I did good for a while. Dec. 30th of last year was when I was driving back from work when a full blown panic/ anxiety happened with me while driving. I drive myself to ER once again. I explained to them I am fully aware that it is most likely a panic attack, but couldn’t stop feeling the urgency to reassure myself I am not diying to see a doctor.
    I refused medication. Doctor did EKG on my heart and said it was perfect. I continued my weekly acupuncture which I think helps me tremendously. No major set backs. I had a few sleep starts , but was able to go back to sleep right away.
    Recently, it was June 4th, my cousin’s huge BBQ party. I had drinks and lots of food , that night I had a huge indigestion and couldn’t sleep for the most part of the night.
    The next few days felt weird, but manageable and than I started having non stop panic: day, night. I am afraid to go to bad, and I am not happy to drive to work or be at work as I am always anticipating that another attack is about to happen.
    My doctor prescribed Paxil I refuse to take as I am trying to find an answer why and what is exactly happening with my mind and my body.
    It’s almost 3 am now, I couldn’t fall asleep as I felt needles and picks in my fingers and shaky feeling ( I did have a drink with my girlfriend last night).
    So I got up and googled ” what wakes me up as I am falling asleep” and found this article.
    I am very great full I did because now I will suggest this to my doctor and acupuncturist and see if maybe it all started because of this hypnic jerks and if some one ( like docs in ER or my regular physician) would explain it to me, I wouldn’t have had developed this crazy panic attacks and anxiety due to the weird feeling while falling asleep.
    My mom has been experiencing something similar, but described it as heart pounding and anxiousness waking up in the middle of the night that sets her off for a sleepless night of full blown anxiety and diarrhea because she thinks she is about to die.
    I wish doctors knew more about it and listened to my when it first happened t night. I strongly believe it is exactly hypnic jerks that woke me up the first time and gave me the scare of my life and set me off to develop anxiety and panic. I am a control freak and it is very unsettling to go to doctors and realize they know less than one does when it comes to such a common occurrence ( according to your survey)
    Thank you for this article, I know for sure I will be more at peace now going to sleep knowing that what is happening is normal for some.
    In the meantime I did my blood work last week and waiting for results to see maybe there is some sort of misbalance in my system. When I did it a year ago when it all started, blood was normal for all the things that my doctor suggested could have triggered anxiety.

    Thank you again for a great, detailed article!

    • Hi Irene
      Thanks for your comment and kind words about the article. Sorry to hear you’ve been having such a horrible time with panic attacks and anxiety. Panic attacks truly are an unpleasant thing to deal with.
      It does sound like you probably had a hypnic jerks in the beginning which then set you into a vicious circle of worrying about sleep etc. Hopefully knowing this now will help you relax about sleep, and if it does happen again, be able to to shrug it off as something harmless.
      Regards
      Ethan

  38. I just go out of bed after trying since midnight to fall asleep. These “shocks” are annoying, but I am not worried about it. I get it every now and again and can’t seem to pinpoint why. This article is, by far, the most thorough one I’ve read on the subject. (I hate forums; a bunch of people talking about the problem and not the solution.) This piece has given me some ideas as to how to approach this problem. Very good article, thanks.

    • Hi Lii
      Thanks for your comment and your kind words. I’m very glad you found the article so helpful and that you have some new ideas to tackle the hypnic jerks. Hopefully they will help you get some peaceful sleep again.
      Regards
      Ethan

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