Hi Travis, thanks for your question. What you are experiencing is actually a pretty common phenomenon called a hypnic jerk or hypnogogic jerk. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, there are a wide range of potential causes, including anxiety, caffeine, stress and strenuous activities in the evening. However, most hypnic jerks occur essentially randomly in healthy people. It is unknown why this experience is so common, but probably is a reflex left over from evolution, as it may have been useful back when our ancestors slept in trees. While this is a normal thing to happen, sometimes it can be a symptom of poor sleep hygiene. If you are concerned, visit your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist to help you brainstorm ways to address this in more depth. Hope this helps. Dr. Sheppe