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What is behind the sleep phenomenon of muscle twitching?
Slowly but surely, you slumber in and out - you are awakened by an electric shock like twitching in your leg or arm. But why are these muscle twitches?
In the waking state, our body is in motion. Our muscles expand and contract again. Even when we are quietly lying, watching TV or reading, nerve cells continuously send signals to our muscles.
As soon as we fall asleep, these whole processes slow down in the body. The temporal sequence of the individual bodily functions differs differently, so peu a peu. So while we are already falling asleep and our breathing has already flattened, the brain region responsible for our motor skills is still active. If it sends signals to already slack muscles, this 'misinformation' becomes noticeable as muscle twitching.
But why so often in the leg, now you ask yourself rightly. The answer is muscle twitching wherever there is muscle - but we never notice it. Because the twitching muscles are not directly under the skin, we do not even notice this jerky movement.
The sleep phenomenon of the muscle twitching is intensified by stress, as the individual brain regions are 'slowed down' by this tension a little more irregularly, when one lies down to sleep. You can reduce muscle twitching due to a lot of fluid intake and enough magnesium in the body. The average daily requirement is between 24 and 400 milligrams per day - pregnant women and athletes need more magnesium than passive people.
Magnesium relaxes, loosens the muscles and is even involved in muscle building. Magnesium is found in whole grains, mineral water, nuts, fish, meat and, fortunately, also in chocolate. In addition to a magnesium-rich diet, stretching and relaxation exercises before falling asleep can also help to prevent muscle twitching .
By the way: Before this sporadic Einschlafphomenomen also most mammals are affected. Also, the sleep-timing of their body functions is gradual and not at the touch of a button.
