Hypnic jerks are common without unknown origin. They are non-periodic reflexes related to the act of just falling asleep. They are more common in those that are fatigued and thought to be associated with the sensation of a falling dream state. Here, it is proposed that early spinal unloading results in enough stretch to the muscle spindle rich tissues above and below the intervertebral discs eliciting a monosynaptic reflex similar to the knee jerk reflex.