Why Does Your Body Feel Like It Is Falling When You Fall Asleep?

That sudden kick or fall you feel right before sleep is called a hypnic jerk. Imagine your body is preparing for bed. Your muscles turn off one by one like lights in a house. Sometimes the brain gets confused and thinks you are actually falling. To save you, it sends a quick electric zap to your legs to catch yourself.

Scientists think this happens because part of the brain that keeps us awake does not shut down at the same time as the rest. This mix up makes the muscles twitch. It is very common and perfectly normal. Most people get it once in a while.