That strange falling sensation

The Hypnic Jerks. That sounds like a good name for a band. Scientists have a sort of half explanation for that phenomenon where you startle yourself awake just as you fall asleep:

This strange falling sensation and muscle twitch is known as a hypnagogic myoclonic twitch or"“Hypnic jerk." If this has happened to you on more than one occasion, don'’t worry, you are not alone. Close to 70 percent of all people experience this phenomenon just after nodding off, according to a recent study at the Mayo Clinic.

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