Why do people and animals sometimes twitch in their sleep?
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
United States
September 21, 2011 4:51pm CST
I remember catching myself twitching when I was sleeping. I wasn't in a deep sleep yet. I saw a man twitch when he was taking a nap. I saw a chocolate lab twitch when it was sleeping. I wonder what causes it.
3 responses
@modeofevasion (86)
• Philippines
22 Sep 11
I also think it's muscle spasm. I think I came across that topic when I was searching for sleep disorders (i have insomnia, and would like to counter it). If I remember it correctly, it is encountered during light sleep, when the brain sends signals to the motor functions, very much similar to a shutdown. It is often associated with a feeling of falling. Also, it is triggered by faint stimuli like noise and odor.
1 person likes this
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
21 Sep 11
I would say it's simply involuntary muscle spasms. As for what causes them, I am not really sure. Perhaps some of the time, it is from a dream you are having?
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
21 Sep 11
I'd second that. Higher animals (dogs, horses etc) dream like humans. My dalmatian does - sometimes he growls and woofs in his dreams too. And his tail wags, or his feet start moving as if he's running. I imagine, like us, they replay things they've done during the day.
@acrossnation (773)
• Malaysia
22 Sep 11
Hi....i am surprised you have brought up this matter as i am also wondering what i have experience, only that i could not find the word for it. So okay it is called "twitch". I kind of like it when i got it as i will fall into deep sleep after the twitch. Now i look up in the wikipedia what causes twitch, it seems have got to do with our nerves system.
