Eli5: Why cant we just signal to our brain when we want to fall asleep?

Question

When we lay down at night why our brain does not recognize it and make us fall asleep much easier? Interesting that we have control over so much things but not our own body.

In: 93

Answer 1

We do.

It’s called hypnosis. Notice how you walk/drive to the usual daily path, and sometimes you cant recall much detail about your drive?

I use the same technique.

Pre bed ritual: i always do the same thing. Shower, kiss my wife, go to bed.

Once in bed, i induce hypnosis through an immersive story i tell myself, where i am one of the actor. It’s always a bit superheroish, action pack.

I fall asleep fast. The story isnt going forward fast at all i fall asleep so quickly.