186:, initiated in response to normal bodily events during the lead-up to the first stages of sleep, including a decrease in blood pressure and the relaxation of muscle tissue. Another theory postulates that the body mistakes the sense of relaxation that is felt when falling asleep as a sign that the body is falling. As a consequence, it causes a jerk to wake the sleeper up so they can catch themselves. A researcher at the University of Colorado suggested that a hypnic jerk could be "an archaic reflex to the brain's misinterpretation of muscle relaxation with the onset of sleep as a signal that a sleeping primate is falling out of a tree. The reflex may also have had selective value by having the sleeper readjust or review his or her sleeping position in a nest or on a branch in order to assure that a fall did not occur", but evidence is lacking.
175:, but it can also be distinguished by different criteria such as the fact that hypnic jerk occurs at sleep onset only or that the EEG is normal and constant. In addition, unlike seizures, there are no tongue bites, urinary incontinence and postictal confusion in hypnic jerk. This phenomenon can therefore be distinguished from other more serious conditions.
168:, including the hyperplexia syndrome. But some phenomena can help to distinguish hypnic jerk from these other conditions. For example, the occurrence of hypnic jerk arises only at sleep onset and it happens without any rhythmicity or periodicity of the movements and EMG bursts. Also, other pertinent history allows to differentiate it.
208:
cycle and is an "abrupt muscle action flexing movement, generalized or partial and asymmetric, which may cause arousal, with an illusion of falling". Hypnic jerks are more frequent in childhood with 4 to 7 per hour in the age range from 8 to 12 years old, and they decrease toward 1 or 2 per hour by
102:". It can also be accompanied by a vivid dream experience or hallucination. A higher occurrence is reported in people with irregular sleep schedules. When they are particularly frequent and severe, hypnic jerks have been reported as a cause of sleep-onset
227:
In addition, some people may develop a fixation on these hypnic jerks leading to increased anxiety, worrying about the disruptive experience. This increased anxiety and fatigue increases the likelihood of experiencing these jerks, resulting in a
149:. However, most hypnic jerks occur essentially at random in healthy people. Nevertheless, these repeated, intensifying twitches can cause anxiety in some individuals and a disruption to their sleep onset.
109:
Hypnic jerks are common physiological phenomena. Around 70% of people experience them at least once in their lives with 10% experiencing them daily. They are benign and do not cause any neurological
87:
of the body which occurs when a person is beginning to fall asleep, often causing the person to jump and awaken suddenly for a moment. Hypnic jerks are one form of involuntary muscle twitches called
333:
Many also experience sudden muscle contractions called hypnic myoclonia, often preceded by a sensation of starting to fall. These sudden movements are similar to the "jump" we make when startled.
217:
There are ways to reduce hypnic jerks, including reducing consumption of stimulants such as nicotine or caffeine, avoiding physical exertion prior to sleep, and consuming sufficient magnesium.
197:
study, the lack of a preceding spike discharge measured on an epilepsy monitoring unit, along with the presence only at sleep onset, helped differentiate hypnic jerks from epileptic myoclonus.
178:
Scientists do not know exactly why this phenomenon occurs and are still trying to understand it. None of the several theories that have attempted to explain it has been fully accepted. One
446:
These muscular contractions, called sleep related myoclonias are not pathological events, although they tend to occur more frequently with stress or unusual or irregular sleep schedules.
877:
309:
98:. Hypnic jerks are associated with a rapid heartbeat, quickened breathing, sweat, and sometimes "a peculiar sensory feeling of 'shock' or 'falling into the void
301:
53:
Random involuntary muscle contraction of unknown causation without pathology plus possibly associated with fatigue, sleep deprivation, caffeine, anxiety
516:
Chokroverty, Sudhansu; Bhat, Sushanth; Gupta, Divya (2013). "Intensified Hypnic Jerks: A Polysomnographic and
Polymyographic Analysis".
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426:
600:
152:
Sometimes, hypnic jerks are mistaken for another form of movement during sleep. For example, hypnic jerks can be confused with
714:
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122:
885:
1115:
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Physically, hypnic jerks resemble the "jump" experienced by a person when startled, sometimes accompanied by a
1542:
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657:
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Sander, Howard; Geisse, Hildegarde; Quinto, Christine; Sachdeo, Rajesh; Chokroverty, Sudhansu (1998).
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349:
1448:
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564:
Vetrugno, Roberto; Montagna, Pasquale (2011). "Sleep-to-wake transition movement disorders".
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Some medication can also help to reduce or eliminate the hypnic jerks. For example, low-dose
153:
244: – Syndrome where people perceive loud imagined noises when falling asleep or waking up
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350:"Why You Sometimes Feel Like You're Falling And Jerk Awake When Trying To Fall Asleep"
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829:"Midazolam and Low Magnesium Associated With Myoclonic Jerks: A Case Report"
396:
1503:
1280:
1265:
862:
813:
754:
585:
537:
412:
268: – sleep disorder that involves involuntary limb movement during sleep
746:
632:"Hypnic (Hypnagogic) Jerking Explained – The Comprehensive Guide For 2019"
493:
475:
1562:
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1378:
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662:
141:, and strenuous activities in the evening. It also may be facilitated by
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33:
Myoclonic jerk, hypnagogic jerk, sleep start, sleep twitch, night start
277: – Phase of sleep characterized by random and rapid eye movements
1631:
1582:
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1405:
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1038:
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Sathe, Harshal; Karia, Sagar; Desousa, Avinash; Shah, Nilesh (2015).
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1493:
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1132:
1090:
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733:
Askenasy, J. J. M. (2003). "Sleep
Disturbances in Parkinsonism".
142:
126:
1592:
1478:
706:
Epilepsy and
Intensive Care Monitoring: Principles and Practice
183:
670:
1488:
1306:
969:
125:(AASM), there is a wide range of potential causes, including
1572:
1468:
457:
381:(1959-03-01). "Sudden Bodily Jerks on Falling Asleep".
310:
National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
171:
This physiological phenomenon can also be mistaken for
224:
at bedtime may make the twitches disappear over time.
775:
903:
515:
270:
Pages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
464:
Journal of
Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
200:According to a study on sleep disturbances in the
702:
256: – State of consciousness leading into sleep
1644:
563:
878:"Hypnic Jerks: How To Avoid Waking With A Jolt"
778:"Hypnic jerks possibly induced by escitalopram"
427:"Basics of Sleep Behavior: NREM and REM Sleep"
343:
341:
250: – Spontaneous, involuntary muscle twitch
968:
954:
658:"Why Do People 'Twitch' When Falling Asleep?"
511:
509:
507:
505:
503:
833:The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders
262: – Involuntary, irregular muscle twitch
826:
728:
726:
338:
1276:Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
961:
947:
782:Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice
559:
557:
555:
500:
852:
803:
793:
696:
483:
182:posits that the hypnic jerk is a form of
732:
723:
419:
373:
371:
347:
166:hereditary or essential startle syndrome
827:Shebak, Shady; Bader, Geoffrey (2015).
552:
1645:
682:Hack to Sleep: a guide to better sleep
655:
598:
377:
294:
942:
875:
820:
769:
703:Bruce J Fisch, MD (23 October 2009).
592:
451:
368:
656:Castro, Joseph (21 November 2017).
518:Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology
302:"Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep"
13:
348:Friedman, Lauren F. (2014-05-21).
204:, a hypnic jerk occurs during the
123:American Academy of Sleep Medicine
83:is a brief and sudden involuntary
14:
1664:
1116:Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
1111:Central hypoventilation syndrome
678:"Complete Guide to Hypnic Jerks"
1271:Periodic limb movement disorder
1238:Non-24-hour sleep–wake disorder
876:Green, Ethan (April 16, 2013).
649:
266:Periodic limb movement disorder
158:periodic limb movement disorder
741:(2). Springer-Verlag: 125–50.
735:Journal of Neural Transmission
624:
599:Syring, Kaitlyn (2008-02-28).
202:Journal of Neural Transmission
1:
1543:Biphasic and polyphasic sleep
1351:Nocturnal clitoral tumescence
1213:Advanced sleep phase disorder
315:National Institutes of Health
287:
1223:Delayed sleep phase disorder
1151:Excessive daytime sleepiness
709:. Demos Medical Publishing.
530:10.1097/WNP.0b013e31829dde98
212:
206:non-rapid eye movement sleep
7:
1356:Nocturnal penile tumescence
1228:Irregular sleep–wake rhythm
839:(2): 10.4088/PCC.14l01724.
606:The University Daily Kansan
578:10.1016/j.sleep.2011.10.005
235:
10:
1669:
1218:Cyclic alternating pattern
162:rhythmic movement disorder
160:, hypnagogic foot tremor,
85:contraction of the muscles
1461:
1434:Behavioral sleep medicine
1421:
1369:
1299:
1251:
1243:Shift work sleep disorder
1199:
1191:Sleep state misperception
1141:
1081:
1072:
1009:
980:
907:
283: – Sleeping disorder
116:
49:
37:
29:
24:
991:Rapid eye movement (REM)
795:10.4103/0976-3147.158797
275:Rapid eye movement sleep
1312:Exploding head syndrome
1121:Obstructive sleep apnea
242:Exploding head syndrome
1627:Sleeping while on duty
1176:Idiopathic hypersomnia
460:"Sensory sleep starts"
317:. 2006. Archived from
230:positive feedback loop
1449:Neuroscience of sleep
1181:Night eating syndrome
1166:Kleine–Levin syndrome
747:10.1007/s007020300001
601:"A case of the jerks"
476:10.1136/jnnp.64.5.690
397:10.1093/brain/82.1.92
154:restless leg syndrome
1603:Sleep and creativity
845:10.4088/PCC.14l01724
209:65 to 80 years old.
16:Involuntary twitches
1598:Sleep and breathing
1054:Sensorimotor rhythm
882:No Sleepless Nights
1608:Sleep and learning
1361:Nocturnal emission
1261:Nightmare disorder
1126:Periodic breathing
129:, stimulants like
1640:
1639:
1618:Sleep deprivation
1457:
1456:
936:
935:
716:978-1-935281-59-7
173:myoclonic seizure
147:sleep deprivation
121:According to the
96:falling sensation
57:
56:
19:Medical condition
1660:
1613:Sleep and memory
1553:Circadian rhythm
1300:Benign phenomena
1202:Circadian rhythm
1079:
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940:
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905:
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884:. Archived from
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721:
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609:. Archived from
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513:
498:
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487:
455:
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433:. Archived from
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355:Business Insider
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1653:Sleep disorders
1643:
1642:
1641:
1636:
1531:Procrastination
1484:Four-poster bed
1453:
1417:
1411:Polysomnography
1389:Sleep induction
1365:
1336:Sleep paralysis
1295:
1247:
1206:
1203:
1195:
1137:
1096:Mouth breathing
1074:Sleep disorders
1068:
1005:
996:Quiescent sleep
976:
974:sleep disorders
967:
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684:. 26 March 2019
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281:Sleep paralysis
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65:hypnagogic jerk
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1429:Sleep medicine
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908:Classification
900:
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888:on 1 July 2019
868:
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788:(3): 423–424.
768:
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695:
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566:Sleep Medicine
551:
524:(4): 403–410.
499:
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431:Sleep Syllabus
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195:intensive care
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77:myoclonic jerk
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44:Sleep medicine
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1384:Sleep hygiene
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1372:
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1341:Sleep inertia
1339:
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1315:
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1291:Sleep-talking
1289:
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1286:Sleep driving
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1059:Sleep spindle
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636:Sleep Advisor
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627:
613:on 2010-07-26
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437:on 2011-07-18
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406:
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394:
391:(1): 92–103.
390:
386:
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344:
342:
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324:on 2019-07-03
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1504:Sleeping bag
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1281:Sleepwalking
1266:Night terror
983:sleep cycles
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1588:Second wind
1563:Dream diary
1439:Sleep study
1379:Sleep diary
1331:Hypnopompia
1326:Sleep onset
1317:Hypnic jerk
1156:Hypersomnia
1106:Catathrenia
1101:Sleep apnea
1011:Brain waves
981:Stages of
663:LiveScience
572:: S11–S16.
379:Oswald, Ian
81:night start
69:sleep start
61:hypnic jerk
30:Other names
25:Hypnic jerk
1622:Sleep debt
1568:Microsleep
1548:Chronotype
1462:Daily life
1346:Somnolence
1322:Hypnagogia
1253:Parasomnia
1171:Narcolepsy
1083:Anatomical
1064:Theta wave
1034:Gamma wave
1029:Delta wave
1019:Alpha wave
617:2019-10-16
470:(5): 690.
441:2019-07-03
361:2016-07-17
328:2019-07-03
288:References
254:Hypnagogia
222:clonazepam
189:During an
180:hypothesis
1632:Sleepover
1583:Power nap
1578:Nightwear
1444:Melatonin
1406:Somnology
1371:Treatment
1204:disorders
1143:Dyssomnia
1049:PGO waves
1044:Mu rhythm
1039:K-complex
1024:Beta wave
1001:Slow-wave
927:443438009
922:SNOMED CT
405:0006-8950
260:Myoclonus
213:Treatment
89:myoclonus
39:Specialty
1647:Category
1499:Mattress
1474:Bunk bed
1394:Hypnosis
1186:Nocturia
1161:Insomnia
863:26445681
814:26167034
755:12589574
586:22136891
546:38840788
538:23912581
413:13651496
236:See also
191:epilepsy
135:nicotine
131:caffeine
111:sequelae
104:insomnia
1526:Bedtime
1521:Bedroom
1516:Bedding
1511:Bed bug
1494:Hammock
1399:Lullaby
1233:Jet lag
1133:Snoring
1091:Bruxism
854:4560178
805:4481805
763:9147326
641:27 June
494:9598699
485:2170079
143:fatigue
127:anxiety
1593:Siesta
1479:Daybed
1307:Dreams
892:3 July
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688:1 July
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184:reflex
164:, and
139:stress
117:Causes
50:Causes
1536:Story
1489:Futon
1422:Other
970:Sleep
759:S2CID
542:S2CID
384:Brain
322:(PDF)
305:(PDF)
79:, or
972:and
894:2019
859:PMID
810:PMID
751:PMID
711:ISBN
690:2019
643:2019
582:PMID
534:PMID
490:PMID
409:PMID
401:ISSN
193:and
133:and
1573:Nap
1469:Bed
849:PMC
841:doi
800:PMC
790:doi
743:doi
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574:doi
526:doi
480:PMC
472:doi
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