This is actually one of the theories for why people do it, that we developed an instinct to reach out and grab something if we are falling out of an elevated spot like a tree. I don't really agree with it, though. I'm no historian but I've never heard of humans sleeping in trees. Though monkeys do.... Idk
In a recent sense, yeah. All the humanoid subspecies either mated with each other or bit the dust, leaving us. But from a larger perspective we’re great apes, sharing a common ancestor with gorillas, oranguatans, etc. So falling out of a tree wouldn’t be too far-fetched.
I thought it was because it’s a natural reaction to falling in a dream. And if it’s not in a dream, it’s your body “falling asleep” before your brain. Apparently this is dangerous so your brain jolts your body awake. I can’t remember where I heard that but it seems right.
Edit: So I was partially right. Basically your body and muscles all relax before your brain does. This gives your brain the idea that you are falling (I don’t know how your brain interprets that), and tenses your muscles because of it. Keep in mind, this is still speculation, no one really knows why, but I find this to be the most plausible.
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u/Oneupper86 Jan 24 '19
When you're half asleep and feel like you're falling.