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Brain Zaps: Causes & Treatments For Electrical Shock Sensations

Brain zaps are commonly reported electrical shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant medications. Other common names for brain zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and brain shocks. People often describe them as feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains, which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable. A person experiencing these zaps may get dizzy, feel minor pain, and high levels of discomfort.

What causes brain zaps?

Brain zaps are considered to be caused by neurotransmitter alterations within the brain, particularly those involving “serotonin.” It is believed that serotonin plays a vital role in the development of these zaps due to the fact that people typically experience them when discontinuing serotonergic antidepressants (e.g. SSRIs). The zaps may also be caused via discontinuation of other psychotropic medications including: antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, MAOIs, SNRIs, and tricyclic antidepressants.

  • Antidepressant withdrawal: During withdrawal from antidepressant medications, “brain zaps” are considered common symptoms to experience. It is believed that the severity and length of brain zaps may be related to whether a person discontinues “cold turkey” as opposed to tapering off of their medication.
  • Eye movements: It has been speculated that moving the eyes side to side may provoke or intensify brain zap sensations. While this is purely speculation, there are online accounts of individuals that found things like “looking to the side” can trigger them.
  • Medication side effects: Some individuals have reported experiencing “brain zaps” as side effects from certain medications. These may be experienced when a person initially begins taking a psychotropic medication. It is thought that adjustments in the functioning of various neurotransmitters are responsible for the zaps.
  • Skipping a dose: If you are on a medication and you accidentally miss or intentionally skip a dose, you may notice unpleasant brain zaps. When people experience the zap sensation, they quickly remember that they forgot to take their medication.
  • Other medications: It should be mentioned that medications other than antidepressants can cause brain zaps. While they are most commonly experienced as a result of taking serotonergic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and antipsychotics have also been suggested as potential causes.

How long do brain zaps last?

There is no set “timeline” that says how long brain zaps will last. The zaps people experience are generally subject to individual variation. One person may experience them for a significant duration (e.g. weeks or months), while another may find that they go away in short order (e.g. hours or days). There are a number of factors that can influence how long these “zaps” may persist including: your physiology, duration you took your medication, the dosage, and whether you quit cold turkey or tapered.

It should also be noted that while some individuals experience a bulk of the zaps immediately following discontinuation, some experience the zaps during more protracted phases of withdrawal. In other words, some individuals may have no zaps for weeks, and then experience them seemingly out of nowhere.

Factors that can influence the severity of brain zaps

There are several factors that are thought to influence both the severity and duration of the brain zaps. These factors include things like: individual physiology, level of anxiety, the drug that was taken, how quickly a person discontinued, and whether they are currently taking other medications.

  • Individual physiology: Since not everyone experiences brain zaps, it should be noted that severity of the zaps will vary based on the individual. People with certain genes and/or more resilient nervous systems may not ever experience zaps even when quitting cold turkey. Some individuals will experience the zaps for longer duration than others. Keep in mind that your experience with these zaps may not be the same as someone else in terms of sensation, severity, and duration.
  • Medication: Another huge factor in determining the duration and severity of the zaps is the particular medication that a person was (or is) taking. In most cases, the zaps occur upon discontinuation or skipping a dose of an antidepressant medication. While it is most commonly experienced during SSRI withdrawal, other classes of antidepressants and medications (e.g. benzodiazepines) have been suggested to cause zaps.
    • Cold turkey vs. tapering: If you want to decrease your chances of experiencing severe, persistent brain zaps, make sure you taper off of your medication slowly. The more gradually you taper, the less likely the brain zaps are to occur. If you quit cold turkey, you are significantly increasing your chances of experiencing these jolts.
    • Duration of treatment: How long were you taking your medication? Those who were on a particular drug for a long period of time are more likely to experience the zaps. This is due to the fact that the drug induced more changes in neural functioning and neurotransmission over the long-term than it would have over the short-term. In general, the shorter the duration for which you took your medication, the less likely you are to experience zaps.
    • Half-life: What was the half-life of your drug? Medications with extremely short half-lives are more likely to cause zaps upon discontinuation or missing a dose. A common example of a medication with a short half life is that of Paxil (21 hours). People are much more likely to experience zaps from Paxil than Prozac (with a longer half life of several days).
    • Specific drug: Some would suggest that the particular drug that a person takes will influence the zaps. Certain drug formulations are thought to be of greater potency and affect neurotransmission more than others. The more potent the serotonergic drug, the more likely a person will experience zaps.
  • Other drugs: One factor that not many people consider is that of taking other drugs. Often times people who are taking other medications will not experience brain zaps because the other medication and/or supplement is mitigating the zaps. This is why many people transition to other medications like Prozac or claim that certain supplements help them cope with the zaps. If a person isn’t taking any other drugs or supplements upon discontinuation, the zaps will likely be more severe than those who are still medicated.
  • Level of anxiety: Some have speculated that when a person becomes more anxious, they are more prone to the zaps. This could be due to the fact that anxiety stimulates the central nervous system, and thus could be preventing repairs from occurring after withdrawal. In other cases, people with high anxiety may perceive the brain zaps as being worse than they actually are and/or believe that there is some more significant health problem.

Theories about causes of brain zaps

Brain zaps have long been described by individuals dealing with first-hand experience of antidepressant withdrawal. The zaps feel like jolts of electricity through the head, neck, or other areas of the body such as the spine, arms, and/or legs. In most people, the most common area to experience these zaps is in the head, thus being referred to as “brain” zaps. There are several theories in regards to what may cause them. While certain factors are suggested as causes, the specifics are unknown.

REM Sleep and Serotonin

One hypothesis is floating around the internet that suggests brain zaps are linked to both REM sleep and serotonin. Some people experience brain zaps after waking up from sleep and/or when they fall asleep. A theory is that REM sleep (rapid-eye movement) may influence serotonergic processes in the brain, and the “zaps” are a byproduct of the rapid-eye movement. Whether this has any credibility is debatable. Those who have felt the zaps while sleeping may be able to provide more insight into this experience.

Transitioning out of drug-induced states

Some experts believe that they are a result of the brain suddenly attempting to transition out of the drug-induced neurotransmission to which it had adapted. There are many reports of brain zaps, some of which have been so severe that doctors thought they were experiencing seizures. A couple of British psychiatrists described brain zaps as, “sensory symptoms or symptoms of disequilibrium in brief bursts” when a person moves their head or eyes.

Analogy: Scuba diver surfacing too quickly

They emphasized that this generally occurs during discontinuation from a psychiatric medication. An analogy that has been used to describe why brain zaps occur is a scuba diver who is at the bottom of the ocean, but rises to the surface too fast – resulting in unwanted effects. Other psychiatric authors have suggested that brain zaps are likely influenced by serotonin’s role in sensory functions and muscle movement.

Paresthesia

When a person quits an antidepressant, the person then may experience paresthesia or various sensations as a result of abnormal serotonin levels. These authors describe the fact that major changes to neuronal networks can occur during antidepressant treatment, thus leading to zaps when the brain attempts to function without the drug.

Length of treatment and dosage

Authors have also suggested that both length of treatment and the dosage taken may influence the severity of brain zaps. Additionally, other researchers have hypothesized that in addition to serotonin playing a role in the zaps, norepinephrine may also be a contributing factor – especially for individuals who come off of SNRIs.

Pre-Seizure symptoms?

Researchers have stated that these brain zaps could be similar to pre-seizure symptoms seen in cases of epilepsy. Since there is evidence that the noradrenergic system plays a role in seizure development, it would make sense that norepinephrine could influence brain zaps.

What do brain zaps feel like?

They are relatively difficult to describe because they affect each person differently. For some they are more severe and resemble electrical jolts, while for others they are less severe and easier to cope with. Most would agree that they feel some sort of “electrical” sensation within their head as a result of them. Below is a list of various descriptions of the zaps based on first-hand experiences.

Descriptions:

  • Electrical shocks
  • “Flicking cards” through your head
  • Electrical jolts
  • Light-bulb going off in your head
  • Lightning strikes in the brain
  • “Pop rocks” in the head
  • Pulses of electricity
  • Shivers of the brain
  • Strobe light flashing in the brain

Note: These sensations are often accompanied by sensations of dizziness and/or vertigo. Others may experience symptoms of nausea and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

How to stop brain zaps…

There are no known medical treatments that are prescribed specifically to stop the brain zaps. In most cases, people will have to put up with them and understand that with proper time, they will eventually subside. Below are some recommendations that may help you better deal with the zaps.

  • Conduct a slower taper: If you quit your medication cold turkey, you may need to start taking it again, and then conduct a slower, more gradual taper off of it. Many zaps are caused when people quit their mediation too quickly and/or from too high of a dose.
  • Go back on medication: Another option that some people pursue is simply going back on their medication. After a person is back on their medication they can then decide to taper more slowly and/or switch to a different medication.
  • Take Prozac (longer half-life): A strategy for minimizing brain zaps and general antidepressant withdrawal symptoms is to transition to a drug with a longer half-life. Often an experienced psychiatrist will recommend transitioning to Prozac and eventually withdrawing from the Prozac, which should reduce the chances of the zaps.
  • Supplements: Many people swear by taking various supplements to reduce the severity of brain zaps. Whether these supplements actually work to alleviate the zaps is unverified. Many individuals have said that supplementation of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids improve these zaps to a significant extent. Some have suggested that they completely cure the zapping.
    • Omega-3 fatty acids: Many people claim that the best way to deal with brain zaps is to take omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil supplements. It is unknown why the fish oil helps, but many have testified that it works wonders. While most user accounts suggest taking “fish oil” some would speculate that “krill oil” would provide similar results.
    • Vitamin B12: Some have suggested that getting proper vitamins helps significantly to minimize the zaps. In particular, many people have recommended taking Vitamin B12 supplements and have found them especially helpful. The combination of the B12 with fish oil is able to decrease the severity and frequency of zaps in some people.
  • Time heals all: Understand that although the zaps may be somewhat painful, frustrating, and annoying, they will eventually subside. Even if it seems like they are a permanent neurological problem, rest assured they are not. Eventually your brain will figure out how to repair itself and as your neurotransmission restores itself, you will no longer feel the zaps. For some people the zaps may last days, for others weeks, and for others even longer, but they will subside in time.

Are brain zaps considered dangerous?

If there’s one thing to know about these brain zaps, it should be that they are not considered dangerous. There is no scientific evidence supporting any claims that these jolt-like sensations cause any brain damage or interfere with the health of neurons. Although they may be highly-uncomfortable to experience, at least you don’t have to worry about them killing brain cells.

Have you experienced brain zaps?

Many people have experience brain zaps upon discontinuation from an antidepressant medication. I personally remember quitting Paxil CR and wondering why it felt like my brain was being tortured in an electrocution chamber. For most people, the brain zaps suck, but will eventually subside. If you have a personal experience with “brain zaps” feel free to share it in the comments section below. Also feel free to mention any supplements and/or strategies that have helped you cope with the zaps.

Take the “Brain Zaps” Questionnaire

Patients know that most medical professionals are unwilling to acknowledge “brain zaps” and usually attribute them to worsening of neuropsychiatric conditions and/or a somatic disorder.  Because brain zaps are a legitimate [yet largely unacknowledged] phenomenon among psychiatric patients, a subset of professionals (and many patients) agree that it would be useful to develop guidelines for their prevention and/or treatment.

After being presented with a patient experiencing severe brain zaps, a clinical psychiatrist decided to conduct an investigation by formatting a questionnaire.  I was asked to include the questionnaire on this page.

If you’re interested in helping medical professionals better understand “brain zaps,” feel free to participate in the following survey:  Click here to take the “Brain Zaps” Questionnaire.  The questionnaire results will be used to develop guidelines for brain zap prevention, minimization, and/or treatment.  (UPDATE: Questionnaire is now closed).

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771 thoughts on “Brain Zaps: Causes & Treatments For Electrical Shock Sensations”

  1. Yep, this is a pretty good descriptor of my experience whilst taking Citalopram. I found these sensations so distressing that I weaned from the drug permanently though otherwise it seemed to assist my depressed state. Having been off the medication a year of more, they did cease a fair while ago but every now and then I still experience an ocassional a very faint experiencing of this “zapping”. Interestingly, I found that if I lay down, I could get relief from the sensation almost instantly. HTH

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  2. I have been on generic Zoloft for over a year now. At first I felt ok on it but upped it to 100mg but have since decided it’s not for me. I stopped taking it four days ago and have begun the generic Wellbutrin and am experiencing blurred vision, rag doll feeling and continual brain zaps that are driving me crazy. I’m so hoping this all subsides but right now I can’t tell if it’s withdrawal or side effects… ughhh.

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    • Lorrie, from what I’ve read and felt it’s whenever there’s a change in the medication or the dosage. I am sure that stopping the Sert like that on it’s own would cause loads of zaps, but also adding something new would too, I’ve tried wellbutrin a couple of times in my life and both times it made me super dizzy. I wouldn’t recommend it. You might want to consider weaning off the zoloft slowly and just check out natural supplements like St john’s wort and omega-3s…that’s what I’m trying to do. Good luck.

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  3. I am so glad that I finally started researching this issue more, I’m just glad to know that I’m not alone. This is just terrible and I agree that the doctors and Big Pharm should be held accountable. My psych Dr was clueless when I first mentioned it him after missing a few doses, I told him I had “electric shocks in my brain” and that I would feel like I might pass out or fall down, he said that dizziness is a thing but he had never heard of brain shocks! How is that even possible?

    I hate to sleep now because waking up is hellish, I’m only able to sleep for a few hours max anyway and a lot of times I sleep sitting up because laying flat seems to make waking up more uncomfortable. I am so angry about this, I was hesitant to try an antidepressant to begin with and my dr convinced me to try sertraline 25mg and then tried to add on wellbutrin which I only tried for one month and hated the feeling of vertigo and dizziness.

    Soon I was up to 200mg of sertraline and dealt with two years of having to keep taking the shit just so I can walk through life without falling down from the damn zaps, it did NOT ever help with my “blues” but the dr said I had to take it for a month and see if I feel better and then raise the dose, see if it does anything, raise the dose, etc… 2 yrs later I’m actually really depressed because my brain is addicted to this dangerous drug.

    I have been self weaning with my last script now for about 3 months and I only have a few left. I just can NOT deal with these zaps much longer, I am always so so tired but cant let myself get REM sleep because it triggers the shocks, and that effects my whole everything. I really hope this subsides. I’m going to try Omega-3. I am sure the pharmaceutical companies were aware of this side effect from the very beginning.

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  4. An interesting read. I’ve wondered what these little pulse waves were in my brain. They aren’t uncomfortable in my case, just strange random phenomena that happen on occasion… usually around the time a migraine is ready to come on or go away. It’s almost like a little jolt that awakens the brain or something. I thought they were weird and I’m glad to know it’s not as abnormal as I had thought.

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  5. I am being tapered off cipralex currently and my head feels like it’s being constantly electrocuted… It’s bad enough it’s waking me up from sleep with it. I really hope it ends soon, nothing seems to help.

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  6. I have taken Effexor for about 3 years now for chronic migraines, and I’m the kind of person who is SUPER sensitive to side effects of everything like I low-key get side effects of Advil… but every time I stop taking the medication I get these brain zaps. The first time I really really noticed them was when I got food poisoning in Denver, but they were improved by anti inflammatories.

    It was so bad they were coursing through my body I lose vision and they were so bad that I could barely move. I took a car ride and every bump it was like my life was a poorly executed stop motion animation. I assumed it was dehydration but it was probably because of a discontinuation of the medication.

    I am also on Amitriptyline 75 mg so that was a LOT of antidepressant withdrawal. Every single time I miss a dose I am plagued with these to the point where it is difficult to move. I lose vision for a second, and my movement feels jolty. I’ve never had any idea this was a normal thing I liked reading this.

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  7. I have taken Effexor off and on since college. I’m now 37. I stopped taking it two years ago by tapering off and using Prozac. I’ve been on Wellbutrin ever since and the zaps have not gotten better. I’d sat they even get worse as time goes on. The nurse practitioner that I see acted all surprised when I complained to her after six months of the zaps. She said “Oh they’ll get better.

    I haven’t heard of them lasting this long.” Well listen sister. It’s now been TWO YEARS and they are stronger than ever. I think the drug companies knew about this withdrawal and downplayed it. I would love to be able to file a class action suit against them for making my life, my sister’s life, and everyone else on here still suffering. It’s total b.s. and they need to be held accountable.

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  8. I have taken Tramadol for a long time, until I got addicted, two weeks ago I finally decided to stop with it definitely. That wasn’t easy to live, now I’m through with that but brain zaps are still there. As I’ve seen up am gonna try with vitamin B12 and fish oil to see how it react… If someone has another idea to erase it definitely please tell me.

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    • Theirry, just be patient. These sensations will plague for more than two weeks I’m afraid but they WILL definitely cease altogether to all intents and purposes. One must assume we are all different and you may cease sooner or later but they do go away. Most people’s problem lie with the what to do about the depression in the absence of these otherwise useful medications.

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  9. I must say that even though these zaps may not be dangerous neurons and or or brain cells, the zaps are in fact very dangerous! I have fallen many times, I have been driving a car and crashed due to zap so bad that it blinded me for a minute! These zaps are dangerous and you must take caution when operating anything!

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  10. Ok so I finally decided to google my problem of literally feeling electricity in my brain. Great to find for once that the first item to pop up isn’t all doom and gloom. I’m just happy I’m not alone and the reasons I’ve found here fit perfectly. It’s really annoying but it won’t bother me any more! Thank you. ☺️☺️

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  11. I’ve had these brain zaps for close to a month now and it’s horrible. The worse part is the insomnia. I’m on epitol, an anti-seizure med. I’ve been on it since 2002, and I have not skipped a dosage. The only thing that has changed in my life was that I was just diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis exactly a month ago.

    Due to it, I had to change my diet drastically. My zaps started a few days after I started my diet. I went to my doctor and he was clueless to brain zaps and gave me trazodone 200mg for sleep but it did nothing to help the zaps or insomnia. I’m glad I found this website.

    I am going to try the fish oil and vitamin B12. I’ve done some research and some people swear by these vitamins. To whoever is suffering from these debilitating zaps, I wish you luck. I hope it works for everybody.

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  12. Tonight I experienced a brain zap for the first time during my REM sleep phase. Grateful for this article which explains that brain zaps are related to a neurotransmitter change. For me it makes sense, as I started today to take chemical nutrition supplement (Aptomia essential amino acids).

    Experienced strobe light flashing accompanied with white wave radio noise and accoustical input (smn. shouted “lift”). Scary feeling but no pain at all. Wanted to stand up, but couldn’t. Didn’t last for long (felt it 1 1/2 minutes).

    After that I woke up, googled what brain zap’s are, read this article, wrote my comment and had a glass of water to hydrate my brain. Feeling secure again and go back to sleep. :-)

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  13. I too get electric brain shocks. You described it well. It’s like getting electroshock treatment. It’s very scary. I get mine only while I’m sleeping. In the middle of REM sleep. It actually jolts me awake, and I guess it’s kind of like me seizing with the way my body jerks because my cat who sleeps by my chest bolts away from me like I’m on fire or something.

    I am on Lexapro for anxiety but I’m NOT coming off the med. I take it every night. I also take Requip for Restless leg syndrome every night. I don’t skip my meds at all. I know stress can play a factor too but I get them even when I’m not stressed. I’ve been on these meds for years and have never skipped a dose and this hasn’t started happening to me until this past January, six months ago.

    Every time I have them I have uncontrollable movements and feel like I’m paralyzed. I’m only 36. I’ve talked to my doctor and told her about them and she only looked at me like I was lying with a doubtful face and said it’s only stress and did not even order any kind of tests. I’d see another doctor but my insurance will only let me go to that doctor’s office.

    I do have a family history of brain cancer on my biological dad’s side. A few of my relatives have gotten it but the doctor’s don’t look at it unless it’s a parent or grandparent. It’s so frustrating. I don’t know what to do. Any information would be helpful. I’m mostly worried about the feeling paralyzed and jerking part of it. Please help.

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  14. I really hope these shocks stop. I went from 225 to 75 to none of Effexor. I felt like a zombie with no feelings, so I had to stop. Now I am dealing with these shocks. The first couple of days of stopping made me feel ill. I noticed my balance was off also. Now it has been 4 days and it has not stopped yet. I will try the fish oil and vitamins to try to make these stop.

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  15. Wow thanks for this, both the article and all the comments. I was on Pristiq for +2 years. Tapered off as per direction and am now drug free, but I too have the brain zaps. So glad to have an answer to this nasty feeling, I was worried there was a physical health problem looming. I was/am having them now and while reading this, so I got up and tried the baking soda – it did stop most of my face-zapping, but I still have the ear buzzing and the “butterflies in my head”, all good any improvement is welcome.

    I do have a temporary relief that works, but it’s frowned upon. In the evening I smoke a joint before bed. It stops the brain snaps and I can sleep well. Going to try the fish oil and B12 too, and go for the good fat in food. Again thanks so much for this information!

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  16. Well, good to know what causes this! My prescription for citalopram ran out, and I couldn’t see my family doctor because we’d moved and I totalled my car and thus couldn’t go to the clinic, and I hadn’t taken the meds for a few days; and it feels like I can feel every nerve firing whenever I move my head. But I got my prescription again now, so it should get better soon!

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  17. Thank you so much the person who wrote this. I will try the fish oil and Vit B12 and hope to God the head zaps end soon. This has been the most useful info I’ve read so far. I came off 1 Duloxetine tab daily-30mg. Had been on it for 11 years I think.

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  18. I’m currently dealing with this while withdrawing off Sertraline (Zoloft). I’ve never been more relieved to see that this is actually pretty common. My doctor thought 50mgs was fine to just cut me off of. I experience these zaps pretty sporadically.

    I’ve been off it for about a month and I still have spells of them. I am on different medications now which I thought would help but now that I’m on Bupropion XL. I was wrong. I guess we’ll see how long this lasts. ?

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  19. I’m glad a came across this. I have been on 60mg of Paxil for almost a year. The weight gain was to much so I wanted off of it. I tapered off a bit but the brain zaps hit. I find them annoying at most.

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  20. Has anyone experienced loss of taste and smell, and the dulling of the other 3 senses? The brain zaps are horrible, but having lost the sense of taste and smell is by far the worst symptom of PAWS. If my brain is zapping, at least let me taste and smell!

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  21. Brain zaps make the awful feeling I have everyday in my hands and head sound minor. They are not!! A jolt is more like it, and it goes on everyday. The only relief I get is the hour or two I sleep every night. From the minute I wake up, until I close my eyes, I have that feeling. I don’t know how much longer I can take it. Absolutely horrific.

    I haven’t seen too much mentioned about the burning in your stomach after eating. My brain is punishing me for a drug I took for years that I never abused, but which it was perfectly happy if I had taken forever. PAWS should be brought to the forefront of the medical community, so those who don’t know what their doing, (family practitioners), don’t attempt to do something that will cause great harm to a patient.

    Doesn’t the Hippocratic Oath say first, do no harm? Ignorance should never be an excuse!

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  22. I have experienced brief “brain zaps”, but would like to know if anyone has experienced what I have, relative to aerobic exercise. My first “zaps” occurred several years ago with Pristiq and now with Effexor. As described in the literature, it usually occurred, not when exercising, if I missed one dose of Effexor, or went 2 or 3 days without Pristiq.

    (That only happened with Pristiq, once, when I traveled and forgot to take it with me.) For about the past 9 months, while on Effexor, I get the zaps while running 3-5 miles when properly staying on schedule with 150 mgs. I am a 61 year old female, Exercise Physiologist, MS., so find this interesting. When it happened a few days ago, I was only about a mile along on a treadmill.

    I noticed it starting in my head and traveling through my back and to my feet. It doesn’t frighten me so I paid closer attention, than usual, and noticed it went further and lasted longer than usual, for me. It lasted about 15 seconds. Usually they last only about 5 seconds, but intermittently. I haven’t been able to find any other mention of this happening during exercise when the dose remains at a continual level.

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  23. I’m going through the “brain bees” right now and it’s hell. It literally (to me) feels like I have a swarm of bees trying to get out of my skull. I can’t think, I can’t eat – I just want to lie still and try not to disturb the bees. If I move my eyes, the bees follow. Sometimes, they follow the direction of my thoughts. I ran out of Effexor and haven’t been able to get to my doctor to renew my physician. It’s been going on for three days.

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  24. I’ve been taking antidepressants (Zoloft & now Effexor) to treat anxiety for about 15 years. About 4 months ago my Dr increased the dose of Effexor and within a few weeks I experienced terrifying electric shock feelings in my brain when I was sleeping.

    I had another one recently and now I’m seriously considering changing the medication. I have experienced brain ‘zaps’ in the past when withdrawing from Zoloft, but the recent shocks on Effexor are so strong that I feel like I’m being electrocuted.

    Reply
  25. I experience the brain zaps only while I’m sleeping, and they are numerous. I can have about 20 in one night and they cause me to wake up and spasm such as my leg kicking. It sends a shock down my spine that tightens up my body and causes the spasm and then I wake up.

    I rarely get them during the day. I’m on day 10 of my 40 day plan to get off of them. Been taking 10mg for a year and tapering off with 5mg a day. I can deal with the other symptoms, but this one is just aggravating and very uncomfortable.

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  26. I was on Cymbalta for only a month. I was taking it for anxiety and fibromyalgia, but had no depression until I was on it for a few weeks, which is why I stopped it. Now a month later I am experiencing these brain zaps and I am relieved to know now that it is not unusual and not dangerous. I guess it just took time for the medication to get out of my system because I am also just starting to feel my fibromyalgia type pains again.

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  27. I am so thankful I read this. I am currently having these brain zaps. I gradually got off 100mg of Zoloft. My last dose was three days ago and I felt like something was wrong until I did a little research. I plan on sticking this out and dealing with the zaps. Hopefully they will go away soon!

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  28. The first time felt like my brain was computer that crashed. It felt like my brain locked up and I heard a loud sound. Errrrrrrr! I read about symptoms online and came across – “exploding head syndrome”. Now, some years later I get more of the zap that people describe. I always have to “wake up” and open my eyes, or I feel like I will die.

    I think it has to do with blood pressure, because a lot of times I feel the left side of my face contorting like I’m having a stroke, and I have to “wake up” and open my eyes, or I feel like I will die. Now, after it happens, I just roll on my side and go to sleep with no worries. (Or it’s easy to fall asleep, because I was on the brink before it happened).

    It’s not fun. I read about omega 3s helping, so I’ll try to see if it doesn’t happen on days I eat tuna.

    Reply
    • I have also experienced electric shocks when sleeping. I honestly thought I was dying from electrocution. I am going to try a different medication (I’m on Effexor) for anxiety because I can’t cope with these terrifying episodes

      Reply
  29. I am a Yoga Master. I do regular meditation. I never take any drugs or alcohol or marijuana (weed), but I experience brain zaps often after Dhyan (meditation) and I really enjoy them. Old Asian yoga script says if in higher level of Dhyan (meditation) then kundalini will release power from your crown chakra. MAHARSHI

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  30. After finding no information about these “brain zaps/mind skips/etc.” on any medical site like Mayo, WebMD, etc., I thought I was going crazy and didn’t tell anyone. The best description that fits me is the feeling that my brain just powers down with a split second power surge that makes my body jolt or convulse, then reboots.

    They are like miniature blackouts that last a fraction of a second but often come in waves about 30 second to 3 minutes apart. Any time, but mostly at night & especially when going to sleep. I also relate to the people that said it can even be a euphoric/orgasmic like surge (but certainly not in a good way). Two questions:

    1. Does anyone else have these “link” to split second nightmares/night terrors when trying to sleep? When mine happen and physically jar me awake, I am having split second horrific visions or something. Like thinking there is gunfire in my hotel room, or getting hit by a car, or a tornado right outside my window. It takes a few seconds for me to come back to reality. Usually I scream or whimper, and often have to gasp for breath as I come out of it.

    Sometimes I start recognizing it is not real, but I am unable to move or open my eyes for a few seconds. It is all so frightening that I am scared to sleep now and am going on about 2-3 hours a night, making my life miserable and putting my job in jeopardy. As there are more events during the daytime now, I am scared to drive or even be in public. I know this all sounds insane, and I don’t trust talking to anyone about this for fear they will think I am crazy. Does anyone else experience anything similar?

    2. Does anybody know anything about the class action lawsuit against Cymbalta? I forgot the firm’s name but they are supposed to talk to me tomorrow. But I am afraid to give them any personal info without knowing anything about them and without a confidentiality or lawyer/client privilege protection in place (i.e., can I trust them?). Thank you…

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  31. Thankfully I found this site! I thought these zaps were just me going crazy… They happen when I have a sudden eye movement.

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  32. I’ve been completely off 10mg Lexapro for about 12 days – I weaned myself off, first lowering to 7.5mg for 1-2 weeks, then 5mg, then 2.5mg (used liquid for the smallest dose), and finally off completely after about 6 weeks. The brain zaps are still really bad and disorienting. I can definitely trigger them by moving my eyes side to side.

    That needs to be upgraded from “speculation” to fact. I can actually hear the sound in my head when they happen – like the sound of a red hot wire being dipped in cold water – a quick buzzing/fizzing sound – it’s very unpleasant and debilitating. I also notice that the brain zaps get worse, not better, with marijuana, which I thought I would try to “relax” the brain and see if it slowed or stopped the zaps.

    I would not recommend that even for regular marijuana users. But I was only on 10mg – which everyone says is a ‘baby dose’ – I can’t even imagine how bad the zaps are for people who were on 20mg or more. The pharmaceutical companies should have to test for withdrawal side effects before marketing these drugs because my personal opinion is that these withdrawal side effects from stopping the drug are much more detrimental to me than the benefits of the drug itself.

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  33. This article and the many comments that follow it, were both relieving and terrifying. I started taking Effexor three years ago to help me through anxiety, depression, and panic attacks all stemming from being physically, mentally, and emotionally abused by my boyfriend. I have given a small amount of credit to this medication for helping me through the trauma itself, and the PTSD that follows.

    My psychiatrist had never stated the possibility of extreme adverse side affects upon discontinuing the medication. After two months of slowly tapering off of the drug, the brain zaps that go through my head and into my fingers and toes, along with extreme irritability, have worn me down. I have been patiently weaning myself off of the medication and continue to live uncomfortably every day.

    My withdraws include much of what has already been said, wth brain zaps being the most intense and continuous, along with muscle twitches/spasms, cold/hot sweats, and nausea/throwing up. While going onto the medication three years ago, I had similar symptoms but none of which became this severe. I find that my brain shocks are the most severe when my heart rate raises.

    I figured this out while I was working out, and had such severe shocks that I nearly fell off of the treadmill. I recently soaked at a pool and sat in the sauna after, which raised my heart rate and sent me into continuous shocks and muscle clenches/spasms. I feel defeated and powerless. Sometimes I wonder if I should just resume taking the medication, out of fear that the shocks and symptoms might never go away.

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  34. Does anyone get brain zaps when you’re trying to fall asleep and they keep you up? That’s the problem I’ve had when trying to get off of mirtazapine… Every time I’m about ready to doze off I get a zap and am wide awake again.

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  35. Quitting Paxil was one of the most intense experiences of my life. It “only” lasted a little less than 3 weeks. The zapping sensation was mostly limited to one place inside my head. One day, I reached up and touched my head where the zaps seemed to be happening. My head was sore on the OUTSIDE. Really. It stayed sensitive until the zaps stopped. I forgot to mention that I did a very slow taper from 20 mgs. Every little bit I lowered the dose, I got a 2 or 3 day preview of the big event – when the “medicine” was completely out of my body.

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  36. I’ve been reducing my dosage of Venlafaxine over the last three months or so and currently the brain zaps are almost unbearable. For me, it’s like a scratching noise inside my brain every time I move my head from side to side. It’s really distressing but having found this site, I feel somewhat reassured that it won’t be permanent.

    The reasons we have to take anti-depressants in the first place are always tough and really heartbreaking. It’s a brave decision to make to decide to want to stop taking them and it seems so unfair that the effects almost make you think it isn’t worth trying to manage without them… I’m determined to try though.

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  37. I have weaned off Effexor for 1 month and eventually just decided to not take my dose of 33.3mg. Going on day 3 and still no relief from this awful sensation along with nausea. I have tried to discontinue this med several times and have always failed due to the brain zaps.

    I refuse at this time to ever go back taking the medication. I feel that the drug has imprisoned me more than the life situations which drove me to taking the med in the first place. Praying this will end soon. Feeling trapped.

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  38. I have severe brain zaps, once due to Zoloft withdrawal, once to I know not what! I have got pneumonia and started the Z-pack. A while after I took the first two tabs, I started severe brain zaps, pretty constant… The side effect section on Z-pak says to report if you have serious side effects like dizziness. IDK whether to consider these serious side effects?

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  39. Glad to know this isn’t uncommon. I experienced random brain zaps after tapering off from a year of Lexapro. I tapered off for a month so maybe it was too quick for the medium dosage I was on? They went away after a month or so but now I am getting them as short lived side effects when I take BuSpar beginner dose on an empty or half empty stomach. Stay strong, folks.

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  40. So thankful I found this site! I took 20 mg of Citalopram for a little over 4 months, then tapered off as my doctor directed – but then started experiencing the zaps about a week later. Been off the drug for about three weeks now, and the zaps are less frequent – but I concur with the thought about lateral eye movement provoking the zaps.

    I was really questioning whether I needed to get new glasses – or watching too much of the NHL playoffs, following the puck from end to end! I’m also noticing that the zaps aren’t as frequent when I’m concentrating on something, as at work – but once I relax, and especially if I think about the zaps, I’ll get one right away. Knowing they will eventually go away is so comforting!

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  41. I have experience brain zap’s since quitting sertraline three weeks ago. Has gone more severe this last week. For me there is a definite link with eye movement and sharp turning of head as if to quickly look around. Also a sensation of a thud or consecutive thuds. Feel better in my self not being on the medication an in more control of my mind. Felt the drug lacked an inconsistency and I was on quite a high dose. Knew about it the next day if I missed a tablet. Hopefully all pass with time.

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  42. I am experiencing horrible brain zaps. I am on day 7 cold turkey off of 30 mg of Paxil for 5 years. I was told by a nurse that brain zaps can be extremely dangerous. Should I be concerned?

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  43. I got off amitriptyline awhile ago without any problems, but Sertraline is really what is causing the brain zaps for me. It was crazy to find out that this is an actual thing because I couldn’t for the life of me put a name to the sensation. I was on the highest dose I could take of Zoloft so I imagine that’s why it’s pretty often that I have those brain zaps.

    I’ve been taking it every two days or so now. Usually the second or third day is when the zaps start. I’m hoping it will get easier the longer I hold out, but man, the emotion train leaves the station on that second day without pills. They say they’re not addictive, but I sure do miss it after 72 hours.

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  44. I started getting these during withdrawal from zoloft, which I was on for 2+ years. I have now been off zoloft for 3.5 years and I still get them every few months, usually in the morning before I get out of bed. Scary. Can’t find much info on long term brain zaps post SSRI.

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  45. Hello thank you for this info. I have been on a simple dose of venlafaxine and now taping off I also have these brain fux. Just to inform everyone drinking alcohol does not help. (Go figure) it acutely resulted in the worst frontal lobe brain pain I have ever experienced.

    I have been tempted to try Marijuana but haven’t smoked in years. A hot rice bag did help me sleep! We should all be very upset the Doctors don’t worn us about these symptoms!! Anyways, thank you, you’re welcome, goodnight.

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  46. Hello there. I am currently tapering off of Paxil. I am down to 10 mg as of a week ago. I’ve been getting the brain zaps for a week. I’ve been taking omega 3s and magnesium in hopes that they would go away. I usually start getting them around the afternoon up until I go to sleep. Hoping to get a reply of a success story or hear how fast they have gone away for anyone else? They are really freaking me out and very uncomfortable.

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  47. I took effexor XR 450mg for nine years and had brain zaps every ten minutes or so for the entire time. One year ago I reduced it gradually to 150mg and then stopped taking it. The brain zaps became very severe for a number of weeks and took about five months to stop completely.

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  48. About 10 years ago I started taking Effexor but pretty quickly into treatment I began getting these zaps, (or brain shivers as I called them) that would stop me in my tracks like I had been struck by lightning. This happened if I was so much as twenty minutes late taking them medication.

    It was terrifying. There wasn’t much information about it back then but it was obvious Effexor was the culprit. I stopped the medications 8 years ago. Suddenly this week, out of the blue and for no reason, these zaps have started all over again. I have not been taking any medication.

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  49. I am getting these EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. I move my eyes. This has been happening for 3 days straight. But I have had them for about 3 months about 3 times a day. Stupid venlafaxin. I honestly am feeling like these are never going to stop and I think it is quite literally driving me crazy. I am a nursing student trying to study for exams and it is so so hard, I am only 18. Someone please help me. I have been taking B12 for 2 weeks and I am only getting worse.

    Reply

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