In fact, slowly tapering off is one of the … It was pretty alarming. © 2019 Inner Compass Initiative, Inc. All Rights Reserved. It is recommended to avoid sudden discontinuation of antidepressant drugs. "My whole brain inside feels like I'm being electrocuted, especially when the zaps shoot around to my brain stem and a little way down my neck.". So food like turkey, salmon and eggs are exactly what you need to get your brain back to normal – but don't eat anything else, like carbs or fruit, with your turkey, as it may well mess with the good bits getting into your brain. The Content on the Website neither constitutes nor should be interpreted as the professional medical or clinical advice of a physician, pharmacist, therapist, counselor, prescriber of psychiatric medication, or any other kind of licensed practitioner. After a long weekend of mud, shitting into open cesspits and dealing with that warm mystery liquid that trickles through your hair when someone lobs a bottle into the crowd, the promise of sleep and a shower at home is what gets me though that final morning, lugging a broken tent back to the car and hoping my driver friend doesn't start coming down too hard on the journey home. I know exactly what you're talking about. But until wholesale reforms are made to our outdated drug laws, this doesn't seem a likely option. Brain zaps will generally go away within 1 month or 3 months at most. Scrolling through the endless pages on my phone in the dark, it seemed pretty obvious to me I was having a heart attack, but thankfully just before I dialled 999 I stumbled on a website for "people who enjoy partaking in drug-taking" and saw my symptoms laid bare: I was experiencing brain zaps. Why? The symptoms may include flu-like symptoms, trouble sleeping, nausea, poor balance, sensory changes, and anxiety. In fact, slowly tapering off is one of the suggested ways to avoid or stop brain zaps. Cymbalta Treatment and Brain Zaps Brain zaps and other symptoms of withdrawing from Cymbalta therefore can be seen as the brain’s reaction to suddenly being removed from the abnormal environment to which it has adapted, like a deep sea diver who returns to the surface too quickly. Problem was, she didn't tell the doctor she'd been doing pills – "so it was a bit pointless; she just said I had a cold". Some people report experiencing "brain shivers" or “brain zaps” when they are late taking their prescribed dose of Effexor. So I was on a narcotic, which helped I didn’t have any brain zaps ect. Omega 3 fatty acids will help your brain to function properly. The gabapentin may well help you to not experience the zaps. keep at it my friend and talk to the doctor if the zaps are too much. There are a few things that will help with the brain zaps until you find your correct taper. And it sort of felt like my eyes were taking longer to catch up with my body.". Archived 'Brain Zaps' Have you ever had one? Eat avocados, chai seeds and nuts. That doc should have tapered you off very slowly. … People often describe them as feeling electrical current uncontrollably zapping their brains, which can be extremely frightening and uncomfortable. While research is basically non-existent, it's often suggested that the zaps are a side-effect of ecstasy use; that the feeling has something to do with the brain trying to re-regulate its serotonin levels, as ecstasy causes your brain to release large amounts of serotonin. Brain zaps — also sometimes referred to as brain shivers, brain shocks or head shocks — are described as being one of the most unbearable withdrawal symptoms when stopping certain depression and anxiety medications. "I was just lying there in bed and I got this sharp pain and spasmed a bit," she explained over Facebook chat. However, I get how they could be “zaps” as well. Brain shakes are sensations that people sometimes feel when they stop taking certain medications, especially antidepressants. I will never take a drug you can’t wean off ever again. They lasted for like four days. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, also called antidepressant withdrawal syndrome, is a condition that can occur following the interruption, reduction, or discontinuation of antidepressant medication that was taken continuously for at least one month. Drugs.com is a good reference for any drugs ,side effects and interaction . So there you have it: next time you're heading off to a festival with plans to double-drop every sundown, make sure you pack the salmon. And it kept on happening. If I remember correctly that phenomenon would zing or zap sporatically when burning out. ", Dr Cathy Montgomery is a Reader in Psychopharmacology at Liverpool John Moores University, meaning she knows a lot about drugs. “Brain zaps” are sometimes called brain shakes, brain shocks or brain flips. It feels like a little prick on your finger, followed by a very fuzzy sensation. Movement of the eyes. Sweating with panic, I did the only sensible thing you can do under the circumstances: self-diagnose via Google. User account menu. 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. As I mentioned above there are no known medical treatments that are prescribed specifically to stop the brain zaps, so people have to put and understand with them with the proper time. "They're more likely over a period of heavy/continuous use," Cathy reassured me, "because your brain doesn't get a chance to increase the serotonin levels in between usages, so there is a cumulative depletion, which takes more time to regulate." … Salmon and leafy greens will help too. Antidepressants, especially serotonergic ones and most notoriously SNRIs, can all cause brain zaps. This article will introduce you to the concept of brain zaps; real phenomena that happen in an individual who is experiencing withdra… Taper from drugs slowly; Slowly tapering off drugs is the one thing that may be able to limit, rather than stopping cold turkey. How does someone who hasn’t… Nonetheless, antidepressant withdrawal can be challenging. "We don't know exactly what they are or exactly what causes them," Cathy explained over the phone, "but they are experienced as an electric shock sensation in the head, commonly at the base of the skull or neck, which lasts milliseconds to seconds.". Brain zaps are common among patients who suddenly stop taking antidepressants (or forget to take them for a few days), says Dr. Barnett—that suggests it's … Brain zaps, brain shocks, brain shivers, or brain flips. I have been searching the web but can't seem to find any type of range of time for the withdrawal effects to stop completely. "Limiting polydrug use can help," Cathy said. r/Drugs: Sourcing drugs is NOT allowed here! Other common names for brain zaps include: brain shivers, electrical shocks, and brain shocks. So I stopped both. The Content on the Website neither constitutes nor should be interpreted as the professional medical or clinical advice of a physician, pharmacist, therapist, counselor, prescriber of psychiatric medication, or any other kind of licensed practitioner, and should not be used or relied on to treat or diagnose any diseases, illnesses, or symptoms. They felt zingy. Reassure yourself that these kinds of strange, unpleasant, scary sensations in the brain are actually very common experiences in psychiatric drug withdrawal. Some people say that these symptoms can get worse when they lean over to pick something up off the ground or tie their shoes, suddenly move their head one way or the other, or make other sudden movements. Brain zaps can be bothersome, but they will not cause damage to the brain. A person experiencing these zaps may get dizzy, feel minor pain, and high levels of discomfort. Brain zaps on Cymbalta are a common but not fully explained phenomenon. This was me after Glastonbury this year. The First Symptoms. Check all medications to see if you can wean off them before you take them. The more you practice accepting them and trusting that they’ll pass in time as you heal, the easier you might … Most people, however, had never really mentioned their experiences to anyone before because, as a guy called Johnny put it, "I thought I'd just lost my shit, you know? My heart was pounding, and for a moment I thought I was going to die. For many years of my life i have taken SSRI drugs to combat depression and anxiety. 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). The process can be quite lengthy depending on the dose of the drug, for how long a person has been receiving treatment, and other individual characteristics. “It doesn’t work that way. By blocking the transporter, antidepressants prolong and enhance serotonin’s effects. My zaps went on for nearly a week, meaning I'd occasionally have to grab on to shelves in Tesco or shuffle myself into the foetal position as I lay awake at night dripping in sweat, but for Anna the whole experience actually started to become quite pleasant. SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin that’s available in the brain. People also report that they can be amplified when feeling especially tired, or when sick. She also pointed out that "polydrug use means increased neurotransmitter release and the increased likelihood of depletion", which basically means mixing drugs makes brain zaps worse. Reassure yourself that these kinds of strange, unpleasant, scary sensations in the brain are actually very common experiences in psychiatric drug withdrawal. Where I'm from we call those “zings”. "I'd been at Bugged Out and I think I took about four of five pills over the weekend," said 25-year-old Anna over Facebook chat, explaining that she had a great time, until she got home to London: "Every time I moved or stood up or walked it felt like a little electric shock in my head. Brain zaps are a poorly understood symptom of antidepressant discontinuation, which require further study for both better prevention and treatment. In an ideal world, we agreed, we'd each be tested to see what might make us susceptible to these side-effects, as well as testing the quality of the drugs themselves. People coming off serotonergic antidepressants have reported feeling the zaps, too, adding weight to the argument. Now afraid that sleep would equal certain death, I started looking into the topic and found out that these brain zaps are actually pretty common. They can occur during a dosage adjustment of SSRI and SNRI antidepressant drugs. After a quick Facebook call-out, I had a whole load of people wanting to chat to me about the time their brain got all zappy after a binge. "Brain zaps" are a withdrawal symptom experienced during discontinuation (or reduction of dose) of SSRI and SNRI antidepressant drugs. Head Shocks or Electrical shocks are a common side effect and withdrawal symptom from Antidepressants, but they can also occur with Benzodiazepines and Sleeping Pills. Many people do get their depression under control with the right treatment. It's been weeks and the brain zaps are still excruciating. It's been 10 years now. They're something many people on SSRIs experience, but little is known about them. Any and all information, materials, and content (the “Content”) posted on the Website is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. In short, after chronic administration of antidepressants, the brain is functioning abnormally. There are quite a few anecdotal reports by different people who have suffered brain zaps talking about how essential oils have helped lessen their symptoms. Jump to this post . The first symptoms appear after about 12 hours after … (Please note that if you are accessing these legal documents in this footer from The Withdrawal Project website, you will be taken to the Inner Compass Initiative website. It is recommended to avoid sudden discontinuation of antidepressant drugs. If you’re sensitized to supplements, trying to get as much Omega-3 in whole food such as salmon may be a good alternative. ", The more I spoke to people, the more similar stories I'd hear. "The less intense they became it actually felt kind of nice," she said, "like a very mild version of being on pills, safe in the knowledge that my brain wasn't melting.". If neither of these sounds appealing – but, I mean, come on; you really don't need to do a bunch of coke when you're already two pills deep – Cathy has one final solution: tryptophan. The apparent association of brain zaps with lateral eye movements may open avenues for investigation of this process. In my weaker moments I even consider going back on the drug to make them stop. More brain; I found out that when you start having brain zaps as you are being changed to a different medication, Or as you are going off of one means you are tapering too fast. ), Unless expressly stated otherwise, the authors, bloggers, and/or editors of the Website are laypeople who have direct personal experience taking, reducing, or tapering off psychiatric medication and/or supporting someone else who has taken, reduced, or tapered off psychiatric medication. Below are some of the ways the power of essential oils helps brain zaps: Controlling dizziness and lightheadedness To manage or even eliminate brain zaps, your best option is to taper off your medication very slowly under your … The more you practice accepting them and trusting that they’ll pass in time as you heal, the easier you might find it feels to coexist with them while they’re here. Like me, Anna panicked – but instead of looking to the internet for answers, she sensibly headed to a doctor for a diagnosis. Trying to explain brain zaps caused by weaning off Cymbalta and other SNRI’s is actually harder than trying to explain what it’s like to be struck by lightning. Then I was sick for about a week with brain zaps and other things. The symptoms may include flu-like symptoms, trouble sleeping, nausea, poor balance, sensory changes, and anxiety. Why You Get 'Brain Zaps' After Taking MDMA, and How You Can Stop Them Ever got back from a festival and felt like someone was firing little jolts of electricity into your brain stem? “Doctors have in mind that these drugs act in a linear way, that when you reduce dosage by half, it reduces the effect in the brain by a half,” Dr. Horowitz said. "BRAIN ZAPS ARE KILLING ME!! Limiting periods of use is also a good strategy; taking regular breaks during your bender should help reduce the incidence of brain zaps. Others … Brain zaps are commonly reported electrical shock sensations that are often experienced during discontinuation of antidepressant medications. WATCH: The Young Drug Users Falling Victim to Fentanyl. Posted by. log in sign up.   People often describe these sensations as a very brief, repetitive electric shock-like feeling that remains confined to the brain or head. My permanent tinnitus was the residual effect of curing an ear infection with anti-biotics. "If you do find yourself in a serotonin-depleted state, you need to eat essential amino acids, which will facilitate serotonin production," she explained. They may also be experienced while the person is actually taking the prescribed medication, and can continue for years after withdrawal from the medication. There is no known treatment for brain zaps. I have finally found other people that call these sensations as "brain zaps". I hope you are seeing your Dr . Other drugs that can cause brain zaps are psychotropic drugs, which are drugs that are used for treating problems that have something to do with the mind, behavior and emotions. Cathy's explanation sounded exactly like what I – and the others I'd spoken to – had been experiencing. Inner Compass Initiative, The Withdrawal Project, ICI Connect, and TWP Connect (collectively, the “Website”) are a web-based online information-sharing and connecting platform which seeks to provide opportunities for likeminded people to find each other, and to facilitate the sharing of information that improves the general public’s understanding of psychiatric drug withdrawal and of “mental health” diagnoses and treatments generally. As I closed my eyes, ready for a solid 15-hour sleep, a sharp shock ran through my spine, making its way down into my chest and through my arms. I came across this youtube user who recommends using the Skullcap herb as a treatment for brain zaps. It also can calm you down a bit, if you become anxious. Have omega-3 and B vitamins. Make sure they are high quality. Another option to explore is living creatively. "Something weird is happening to your head and you can't stop it – it's quite scary and you can't ignore it. There is no cure for brain zaps, and they usually go away over time. Below are some natural treatments for brain zaps which will help you. I have a Vascular Vein Disease in my legs. To read our complete disclaimer, click here. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the authors, bloggers, and/or editors of the Website are laypeople who have direct personal experience taking, reducing, or tapering off psychiatric medication and/or supporting someone else who has taken, reduced, or tapered off psychiatric medication. The brain zaps are more of a withdrawal response to long term medication or drugs. "For example, taking ecstasy and cocaine at the same time can be more harmful than taking either drug alone." Some have reported that adding Omega-3 as a supplement can assist in reducing symptoms. The brain zaps are letting you know that you’re body can’t handle the taper you’re doing.