Why do some people fall asleep during a massage?

Massage therapy table inside of the InLight massage therapy studio.

Have you ever been on the massage therapy table and felt yourself start to drift? Or noticed your stomach begin to softly grumble? These are incredibly normal responses — and actually a beautiful testament to the power of massage.

Our nervous system has two main branches: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for fight, flight, or freeze — the state many of us live in far too often. It keeps us alert, braced, and ready.

Massage invites something different.

As your body begins to feel safe, supported, and held, it shifts into the parasympathetic nervous system — often called “rest and digest.” This is the state where healing happens. Heart rate slows. Breathing deepens. Muscles soften. Digestion turns back on.

So when you fall asleep or your stomach starts to rumble, it’s not random — it’s regulation. It’s your body saying, I’m safe now.

Your body is responding in a positive, intelligent way to nurturing touch.

Thank you, body, for holding me.
Thank you, parasympathetic nervous system, for turning on.

Sending you deep breaths and lots of love.