Many know it: Just before you drift off into slumberland, your leg twitches again briefly. And you're awake again - but is that dangerous?
Your eyes are getting heavier, your body relaxes: the time has come - and you are traveling to the land of dreams. But suddenly it happens: a muscle flinches violently before falling asleep . It is only short - but it is enough to be wide awake again.
Muscle twitch before falling asleep? It can be because of that
It is annoying when you are about to fall asleep again - and it happens again. Worst of all if it happens several times in a row. Then many could only tear their hair. But why does our body actually do that?
This phenomenon is said to be "hypnic jerk" or "sleep start" . What in German means something like "falling asleep" or "beginning of sleep". However, there is still no precise explanation of why we twitch again shortly before falling asleep.
But Dr. Carl Bazil from the Columbia Sleep Disorders Center believes the online portal The Cut that our brain sends contradictory signals in this state - and can sometimes get confused.
Muscle twitching: Our brain goes crazy before falling asleep
"One thing that happens when we fall asleep is that our muscles relax. But the awake part of the brain is still so excited that it overreacts for a short time and you have this muscle twitching," says Dr. Bazil. In contrast, snoring is even dangerous - and can be a hidden indication of sleep apnea.
So the next time you have to twitch at night, you now know that your brain is going crazy - and it's best to stay calm.
Read here why you sleep better naked not only in summer but also in other ways.
Good to know: Researchers have found that too little sleep can lead to Alzheimer's. And here that the cancer risk is also greatly increased.
By Jasmin Pospiech
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