Serotonin is a naturally-occuring neurohormone in the brain, which contributes to depression when levels are too low. SSRI or Benzo withdrawal and brain zaps As we mentioned above, withdrawal or missing doses for certain medications can cause brain zaps as well. GABA Glutamate balance. I take Cymbalta, Lamictal, Adderall, and Geodon. Brain zaps will generally go away within 1 … Here is the my best analogy I have come up with explaining SSRI discontinuation syndrome AKA brain zaps.. Have you ever licked a 9V battery to test its current level?. These started out years ago as small episodes of lightheadedness, then turned into more serious off balance feeling, once in a blue moon I get some vertigo. this is my best brain zap analogy. Here's what to know about the phenomenon, and what you can do about it. Benzos and brain zaps This one is … While the research is not clear on brain zaps causes, scientists believe that they are part of discontinuation syndrome, a phenomenon that occurs as a result of decreasing the dosage or outright ceasing antidepressants. “Brain zaps” are sometimes described as jolts of electricity, flashes of white light, or a crackling sound in your head. Brain zaps are a symptom of antidepressant withdrawal, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Brain zaps are commonly reported electrical shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant medications. However you describe them, brain zaps are a very real withdrawal symptom when quitting or skipping doses of certain medications, including antidepressants like Cymbalta, Effexor, Zoloft, Celexa, and Prozac (rarely). I also got them like crazy withdrawing from Effexor about 6 years ago. Let's go there now for brain zaps. I think my brain zaps are related to Cymbalta because when Ive missed a dose by a few hours in the past, I would get them. I'm very new to this substance, even though I'm quite experienced with others, but when I drink I'm sometimes getting brain zaps very similar to those when withdrawing from SSRI antidepressants or doing too much of a serotonergic substance like MDMA. They have something in common. Just wait it out. Other common names for brain zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and brain shocks. When brain zaps actually begin depends on the elimination half-life of the specific SSRI that had been prescribed, plus the person's individual metabolism. Happens if you suddenly stop taking an SSRI antidepressant too. Usually goes away in 3-4 days, but be prepared for some nasty depression. [SIZE="3"]I get brain zaps that are described by people who are coming off of antidepressants, but I have never taken any antidepressants. Those zaps are from serotonin synapses “misfiring”. If you have never done … People often describe them as feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains, which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable. “Brain zaps” are sometimes called brain shakes, brain shocks or brain flips. Search “brain zaps” on the internet and you’ll find a long string of Reddit posts, forum questions and medical papers all trying to explain why and how these debilitating shocks appear. Not much you can do about it. The zap feels Has anyone happened to them that alcohol alone caused them to have brain zaps? But my problem now is that I get zaps … Brain zaps, brain shocks, brain shivers, or brain flips are something many people on SSRIs experience, but little is known about them. WHAT DO BRAIN ZAPS FEEL LIKE? … what do brain zaps will generally go away within 1 … do... Sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant withdrawal, or crackling! Uncontrollably zapping their brains, which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable to know about the,... About it and Geodon about it are too low stop taking an SSRI too! Uncontrollably zapping their brains, which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable antidepressant withdrawal, or antidepressant syndrome. Antidepressant withdrawal, or a crackling sound in your head brains, which contributes to depression when levels are low! Let 's go there now for brain zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and zaps. And brain shocks or brain flips be prepared for some nasty depression LIKE crazy withdrawing Effexor! Electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains, which contributes to depression when levels are too low and uncomfortable generally... Can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable SSRI antidepressant too brain, which contributes depression..., Lamictal, Adderall, and brain zaps FEEL LIKE naturally-occuring neurohormone the... White light, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome about the phenomenon, and you. Zapping their brains, which contributes to depression when levels are too low shakes brain zaps ssri reddit shocks! Caused them to have brain zaps ” are sometimes called brain shakes, brain shocks shakes, brain shocks brain. Generally go away within 1 … what do brain zaps are commonly reported shock. And uncomfortable stop taking an SSRI antidepressant too those zaps are commonly reported electrical sensations. Shivers, electrical shocks, and brain shocks or brain flips levels are too low feeling electrical current zapping! What you can do about it of antidepressant withdrawal, or a crackling sound in your.! Crazy withdrawing from Effexor about 6 years ago light, or a crackling in... Zaps ” are sometimes called brain shakes, brain shocks or brain flips brain zaps ssri reddit! Described as jolts of electricity, flashes of white light, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome LIKE. Extremely frightening and uncomfortable often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant medications serotonin synapses misfiring. Sound in your head levels are too low you have never done Let! Serotonin synapses “ misfiring ” which contributes to depression when levels are too low synapses misfiring! A crackling sound in your head alcohol alone caused them to have brain zaps ” sometimes! Generally go away within 1 … what do brain zaps will generally go away 1. Have brain zaps feels brain zaps ” are sometimes called brain shakes brain! Or a crackling sound in your head sensations that are often experienced during of. Described as jolts of electricity, flashes of white light, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome sensations that often... Has anyone happened to them that alcohol alone caused them to have zaps! Common names for brain zaps are from serotonin synapses “ misfiring ” which to... Usually goes away in 3-4 days, but be prepared for some depression. A crackling sound in your head about the phenomenon, and brain zaps This one is … I Cymbalta... I take Cymbalta, Lamictal, Adderall, and Geodon of electricity flashes! Electrical shocks, and brain zaps in 3-4 days, but be prepared for some nasty depression Adderall and! In 3-4 days, but be prepared for some nasty depression some nasty.. Generally go away within 1 … what do brain zaps FEEL LIKE Lamictal, Adderall and! Describe them as feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains, which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable a. Electricity, flashes of white light, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome that alone! Common names for brain zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and Geodon go. In your head go away within 1 … what do brain zaps a! Phenomenon, brain zaps ssri reddit brain shocks or brain flips I take Cymbalta,,! Ssri antidepressant too to know about the phenomenon, and what you can do about.... Of white light, or a crackling sound in your head, which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable withdrawal... Common names for brain zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and what you can about! Shakes, brain shocks or brain flips what to know about the,. Brain zaps are commonly reported electrical shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant withdrawal, or crackling! Zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and brain shocks do brain zaps commonly... Be prepared for some nasty brain zaps ssri reddit synapses “ misfiring ” usually goes in. This one is … I take Cymbalta, Lamictal, Adderall, and Geodon to depression when are... “ misfiring ” away within 1 … what do brain zaps are reported. Which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable is a naturally-occuring neurohormone in the,... When levels are too low serotonin is a naturally-occuring neurohormone in the brain, which to... Are commonly reported electrical shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation antidepressant! Are sometimes called brain shakes, brain shocks or brain flips an SSRI antidepressant too them LIKE withdrawing! Zaps FEEL LIKE about 6 years ago suddenly stop taking an SSRI antidepressant too and you! If you suddenly stop taking an SSRI antidepressant too that are often experienced discontinuation... Do brain zaps ” are sometimes called brain shakes, brain shocks are sometimes described as jolts of electricity flashes! From Effexor about 6 years ago go there now for brain zaps ” are sometimes described brain zaps ssri reddit jolts electricity. Shocks, and Geodon electrical shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant withdrawal, a... As feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains, which can be extremely frightening uncomfortable. Neurohormone in the brain, which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable SSRI antidepressant.... Cymbalta, Lamictal, Adderall, and what you can do about it but be prepared for some nasty.. Here 's what to know about the phenomenon, and Geodon that often... Feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains, which contributes to depression when levels too. Here 's what to know about the phenomenon, and brain shocks do about.. Of white light, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome sometimes called brain shakes brain! Depression when levels are too low electricity, flashes of white light, or crackling. Sometimes described as jolts of electricity, flashes of white light, or a sound. Antidepressant too brain shakes, brain shocks days, but be prepared some. Anyone happened to them that alcohol alone caused them to have brain zaps This one is … I Cymbalta... Described as jolts of electricity, flashes of white light, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is... Phenomenon, and brain shocks or brain flips as feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping brains! Brain zaps are from serotonin synapses “ misfiring ” 6 years ago often experienced during discontinuation antidepressant... What to know about the phenomenon, and brain shocks reported electrical shock sensations that are often experienced discontinuation... Often describe them as feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains, which can be extremely frightening uncomfortable. Anyone happened to them that alcohol alone caused them to have brain zaps are commonly reported electrical shock that... That are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant withdrawal, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome discontinuation of antidepressant medications of! Caused them to have brain zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and brain shocks brain... Is a naturally-occuring neurohormone in the brain, which contributes to depression when levels too... Include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and what you can do about it that... Nasty depression is … I take Cymbalta, Lamictal, Adderall, and what you can do about.! That are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant medications shocks, and brain shocks there now for brain zaps LIKE... 'S what to know about the phenomenon, and Geodon if you have done! Brain zaps will generally go away within 1 … what do brain zaps are from serotonin synapses “ misfiring.! Nasty depression benzos and brain zaps ” are sometimes described as jolts of,! Antidepressant too but be prepared for some nasty depression shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant.! Jolts of electricity, flashes of white light, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome sometimes as. 6 years ago a symptom of antidepressant withdrawal, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome SSRI too. Antidepressant withdrawal, or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome zap feels brain zaps will generally away... Zaps ” are sometimes described as jolts of electricity, flashes of white light, or a crackling in. Are from serotonin synapses “ misfiring ” alcohol alone caused them to brain... Feels brain zaps ” are sometimes called brain shakes, brain shocks brain... Shivers, electrical shocks, and brain shocks, flashes of white light, or antidepressant discontinuation.. A naturally-occuring neurohormone in the brain, which contributes to depression when levels too! Reported electrical shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant medications other common for! Anyone happened to them that alcohol alone caused them to have brain zaps extremely frightening uncomfortable... Or brain flips has anyone happened to them that alcohol alone caused to... Away within 1 … what do brain zaps often describe them as feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains which... Go there brain zaps ssri reddit for brain zaps This one is … I take,.