What's that thing called?

Mandy-Jane · Jan 4, 2007

Hi. I have a question that has absolutely nothing to do with writing, but I'm guessing that with all the extremely clever and knowledgeable people here, someone will know the answer.

What's the name of the thing that happens when you're just about to fall asleep, and you jump? Do you know what I mean? I can't really explain it any better than that.

Also, do you know what causes it? This has intrigued me for ages but I have absolutely no idea what it is. Thanks.

alleycat · Jan 4, 2007

It's called a hypnic jerk.

Susie · Jan 4, 2007

Hi, Mandy-Jane,

I was curious too, about your question and checked it out on google for you. I found this link and it mentions sleeping and jumping. Hope it helps. Very interesting.

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215422/allbasiccontent.htm

Serena Casey · Jan 4, 2007

It's called a hypnic jerk.

There's definitely a joke there, but I'm too brain dead to think of one.

alleycat · Jan 4, 2007

Serena Casey said:
There's definitely a joke there, but I'm too brain dead to think of one.

I refrained.

MidnightMuse will be proud of me.

paprikapink · Jan 4, 2007

Hypnic jerk! Great name for a band. Or maybe a dog.

And do you hate it when it happens, or love it? I love it; I think that's going to put me in the minority.

dclary · Jan 4, 2007

Mandy-Jane said:
Hi. I have a question that has absolutely nothing to do with writing.

Well that certainly has no place here in OP.

Mandy-Jane · Jan 4, 2007

alleycat said:
It's called a hypnic jerk.

Thank you so much!

And thanks Susie too. Very interesting reading.

Yes paprikapink, I love them too. Makes me think there is something cosmic happening to me! (but there probably isn't.)

Thanks everyone.

JDCrayne · Jan 4, 2007

This title reminds me of a Benny Hill sketch, where the gorgeous blonde's eyes are cast downward as she murmurs, "What is this thing called, Love?" and the director yells "Cut!!" and explains that the line is supposed to be, "What is this thing called love?" (Okay, okay -- so I like low humor!)

Susie · Jan 4, 2007

You're more than welcome. Hope that feeling doesn't keep on.

Kentuk · Jan 4, 2007

Damn never realized other people experienced it. There is some hard to define pleasurable element to it almost like a little piece of orgasm.

Fingers · Jan 4, 2007

JDCrayne said:
This title reminds me of a Benny Hill sketch, where the gorgeous blonde's eyes are cast downward as she murmurs, "What is this thing called, Love?" and the director yells "Cut!!" and explains that the line is supposed to be, "What is this thing called love?" (Okay, okay -- so I like low humor!)

I was thinking the same durn thing.

billythrilly7th · Jan 4, 2007

My special purpose.

JDCrayne · Jan 4, 2007

Kentuk said:
Damn never realized other people experienced it. There is some hard to define pleasurable element to it almost like a little piece of orgasm.

I've always found it very annoying. The legs thrash, the arms jerk, and suddenly I'm wide awake again after almost falling asleep. Incidentally, I find that it happens more frequently when I'm very tired, so perhaps it has something to do with histamine buildup in the muscles.

kristie911 · Jan 5, 2007

paprikapink said:
And do you hate it when it happens, or love it? I love it; I think that's going to put me in the minority.

I never thought about it before but I do like when it happens!

Carole · Jan 5, 2007

Some theorize that this happens when you begin to go out of body, but are unsuccessful, as in astral projection.

janetbellinger · Jan 5, 2007

Orgasm? Did somebody mention orgasm? *Snaps awake from cold induced stupor.

alleycat · Jan 5, 2007

Carole said:
Some theorize that this happens when you begin to go out of body, but are unsuccessful, as in astral projection.

Oh.

I thought it was pixies tickling your feet.

oswann · Jan 5, 2007

Kentuk said:
Damn never realized other people experienced it. There is some hard to define pleasurable element to it almost like a little piece of orgasm.

I think someone needs to get out more often.

Os.

Carole · Jan 5, 2007

alleycat said:
Oh.

I thought it was pixies tickling your feet.

You are picking on me lately. meannie.

alleycat · Jan 5, 2007

Carole said:
You are picking on me lately. meannie.

You threw a tomato at me once!

MidnightMuse · Jan 5, 2007

alleycat said:
I refrained.

MidnightMuse will be proud of me.

paprikapink · Jan 5, 2007

oswann said:
I think someone needs to get out more often.

Os.

That's probably true, Os. You should.

I agree with Kentuk. It's not the whole salami, and it's not literally orgasmic -- but it's similar to "a little piece of orgasm."

(Sneezing on the other hand, can be nearly orgasmic. AH... ah... ah... AHH.... Ahhhhhhh... AHHHHHHhh... CHOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooo!)

Mandy-Jane · Jan 5, 2007

Carole said:
Some theorize that this happens when you begin to go out of body, but are unsuccessful, as in astral projection.

Yeah, I've heard that too.

JDCrayne · Jan 5, 2007

Carole said:
Some theorize that this happens when you begin to go out of body, but are unsuccessful, as in astral projection.

There's another faction which says it's a racial memory of our ape-like ancestors falling out of trees. You never have the sensation of landing because those who did went splat!

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