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Why Do We Dream Of Falling?
Ever jolt awake mid-dream like you're falling off a cliff or out of bed? You’re not alone, and your brain isn’t broken.
In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down the science behind one of the most common and bizarre dream experiences: falling dreams.
Why does your brain trick you into freefall while you’re just trying to sleep? Is it a glitch? A stress signal? Or something ancient, buried deep in our evolutionary wiring?
Host Alex explores three fascinating theories:
- The hypnic jerk (your body thinking you’re actually falling)
- The emotional trigger theory (falling = anxiety + lack of control)
-The evolutionary instinct theory (thanks, prehistoric tree-living ancestors)
We also bust myths (no, you won’t die if you hit the ground in a dream), explain why the sensation feels so real, and how falling dreams might be your brain’s way of processing everything from caffeine to chaos.
Whether you're into dream science, sleep psychology, or just want to know why you keep plummeting into the void at 2 a.m., this episode is for you.
Listen now for a curious, hilarious, and surprisingly relatable deep dive into why we dream of falling—and what it might mean about you.
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By AlexEver jolt awake mid-dream like you're falling off a cliff or out of bed? You’re not alone, and your brain isn’t broken.
In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down the science behind one of the most common and bizarre dream experiences: falling dreams.
Why does your brain trick you into freefall while you’re just trying to sleep? Is it a glitch? A stress signal? Or something ancient, buried deep in our evolutionary wiring?
Host Alex explores three fascinating theories:
- The hypnic jerk (your body thinking you’re actually falling)
- The emotional trigger theory (falling = anxiety + lack of control)
-The evolutionary instinct theory (thanks, prehistoric tree-living ancestors)
We also bust myths (no, you won’t die if you hit the ground in a dream), explain why the sensation feels so real, and how falling dreams might be your brain’s way of processing everything from caffeine to chaos.
Whether you're into dream science, sleep psychology, or just want to know why you keep plummeting into the void at 2 a.m., this episode is for you.
Listen now for a curious, hilarious, and surprisingly relatable deep dive into why we dream of falling—and what it might mean about you.