Sleep: Hypnagogic jerks scare many people - do they need to seek help?
An online survey of almost 200 adults shows that the usually harmless twitch when falling asleep is associated with anxiety, tension, and poorer sleep in some people. What to do?
A study by the University of Salzburg, published in PLOS Mental Health, has investigated a common phenomenon where people experience sudden muscle contractions or other sensations when falling asleep. The study, led by Tanja Grünberger, surveyed 194 adults in Austria and Germany and found that 96 participants experienced sudden awakenings or muscle contractions at least once a week.
The symptoms, which can include muscle twitches, feelings of falling, heart palpitations, and anxiety, can occur in the whole body or in individual parts, and can be accompanied by vivid dreams or feelings of alarm. The study suggests that while the phenomenon is usually harmless, it can affect sleep quality and may be a source of distress for some people.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
