Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Causes Brain Zaps?How Do Brain Zaps Feel?How to Get Rid of Brain ZapsGetting HelpFrequently Asked Questions

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Table of Contents

What Causes Brain Zaps?

How Do Brain Zaps Feel?

How to Get Rid of Brain Zaps

Getting Help

Frequently Asked Questions

Close

Brain zaps are electric-like sensations in the brain perceived to happen in the brain when someone is discontinuing aantidepressant. It’s a term that likely became popularized on internet discussion boards among people who were describing their experiences after discontinuing antidepressants.

Brain zaps are one of several physical sensations experienced duringantidepressant discontinuation syndrome, a condition common among people who are tapering off antidepressants.

The 5 Types of Antidepressants

Although the term “brain zaps” may be used to describe a variety of experiences—including the physical sensations associated with anxiety, or the experience of taking the drug ecstasy—the term is most closely associated with discontinuing antidepressants, and has been studied as a symptoms of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.

According to a 2017 study published inCMAJ, roughly 20% of people develop antidepressant discontinuation syndrome after ending the use of antidepressant medication. The syndrome is most likely to happen when going “cold turkey” or reducing your medication intake substantially in a short period of time.

Experts aren’t entirely sure why weaning from antidepressants can cause unpleasant bodily sensations for some people. According to a 2018 study, it might have something to do with the alteration ofserotoninreceptors that happens when you stop taking an antidepressant, and the impact this has on neurotransmitters. Additionally, certain people may just be more sensitive to the effects of stopping antidepressants, the researchers suspect.

Symptoms of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome are usually experienced about 2-4 days after the tapering off process starts, and can last several weeks or longer. Symptoms can resolve sooner if you go back on your medication or take a new, similar antidepressant.

Besides “brain zaps,” antidepressant discontinuation syndrome can cause:

The Pros and Cons of Antidepressants

Can Stress Cause Seizures?

In most cases, brain zaps, along with other symptoms of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome will go away within a week or so.For people who have mild, temporary symptoms, the “wait it out” approach works fine. But for some people, brain zaps and other sensations are extremely uncomfortable and disturbing, and may last for longer periods. These people may be looking for relief.

Thankfully, you are not helpless when it comes to managing your symptoms. There are things that can be done to treat, prevent, and cope with brain zaps. Here’s what to know.

Treatment

If you are experiencing unpleasant symptoms after stopping antidepressants, you should contact your healthcare provider. They can discuss how quickly you have tapered off your medication, whether you should wean from the medication at a slower pace, and whether substituting a different medication while you wean may be appropriate.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to tapering off an antidepressant:

Coping

People who are stopping antidepressant and experience uncomfortable symptoms need support. Research published inPsychiatry Onlinesurveyed 250 people who had discontinued their antidepressant. The researchers looked at what support helped the most. Here’s what they found:

Prevention

Not all instances of brain zaps can be prevented, but having a solid plan forhow to taper off your medicationand doing so gradually can prevent many cases of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome or at least lessen your symptoms.

Reducing the risk of brain zaps starts with having a detailed discussion with your provider or psychiatrist before stopping your antidepressant. Not all antidepressants are the same, and your provider can tell you what the best schedule is for weaning off your particular antidepressant. In some cases, it may take 6-8 weeks to wean off an antidepressant to minimize side effects. Your provider may also suggest switching to a different antidepressant while you taper off.

Prozac for Anxiety Disorders

When to See a Healthcare Provider

You should contact your healthcare provider before you begin the tapering off process, to get a healthy plan in place. But you should also contact your doctor if you are having challenging symptoms during the weaning process.

Symptoms that are severe or that last more than one to two weeks should be reported to your doctor. You can also talk to them if you want alternative medications, a different weaning plan, or if you wish to go back to taking your old medication.

Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, brain zaps are not the same as seizures. Although seizures have different types of symptoms like bodily shaking, loss of awareness of unusual sensations, this is not the same as what happens during a brain zap, where the sensation is located in the brain and lasts for a few seconds. Talk to your physician immediately if you think you are having symptoms of a seizure.Stress or anxiety can cause a variety of strong physical sensations, including symptoms likeshivers and trembling. Some people may experience something like a brain zap during times of anxiety or panic.There is no published data on how prevalent brain zaps are in particular. But many people experience withdrawal symptoms after coming off antidepressants. One study found that over 50% of people coming off of antidepressants experience some type of withdrawal symptoms, and almost half rated them as severe.

No, brain zaps are not the same as seizures. Although seizures have different types of symptoms like bodily shaking, loss of awareness of unusual sensations, this is not the same as what happens during a brain zap, where the sensation is located in the brain and lasts for a few seconds. Talk to your physician immediately if you think you are having symptoms of a seizure.

Stress or anxiety can cause a variety of strong physical sensations, including symptoms likeshivers and trembling. Some people may experience something like a brain zap during times of anxiety or panic.

There is no published data on how prevalent brain zaps are in particular. But many people experience withdrawal symptoms after coming off antidepressants. One study found that over 50% of people coming off of antidepressants experience some type of withdrawal symptoms, and almost half rated them as severe.

Long-Term Effects of Antidepressants

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Papp A, Onton JA.Brain Zaps: An Underappreciated Symptom of Antidepressant Discontinuation. Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2018;20(6):18m02311.Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Canadian Medical Assocation Journal. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Papp, A., & Onton, J. A. Brain zaps: An underappreciated symptom of antidepressant discontinuation.The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 2018:20(6), 18m02311. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.18m02311National Health Service.Epilepsy Symptoms.Davies J, Read J.A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based?Addictive Behaviors. 2019;97:111-121. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.027

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Papp A, Onton JA.Brain Zaps: An Underappreciated Symptom of Antidepressant Discontinuation. Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2018;20(6):18m02311.Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Canadian Medical Assocation Journal. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Papp, A., & Onton, J. A. Brain zaps: An underappreciated symptom of antidepressant discontinuation.The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 2018:20(6), 18m02311. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.18m02311National Health Service.Epilepsy Symptoms.Davies J, Read J.A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based?Addictive Behaviors. 2019;97:111-121. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.027

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Papp A, Onton JA.Brain Zaps: An Underappreciated Symptom of Antidepressant Discontinuation. Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2018;20(6):18m02311.Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Canadian Medical Assocation Journal. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Papp, A., & Onton, J. A. Brain zaps: An underappreciated symptom of antidepressant discontinuation.The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 2018:20(6), 18m02311. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.18m02311National Health Service.Epilepsy Symptoms.Davies J, Read J.A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based?Addictive Behaviors. 2019;97:111-121. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.027

Papp A, Onton JA.Brain Zaps: An Underappreciated Symptom of Antidepressant Discontinuation. Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2018;20(6):18m02311.

Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Canadian Medical Assocation Journal. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991

Papp, A., & Onton, J. A. Brain zaps: An underappreciated symptom of antidepressant discontinuation.The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 2018:20(6), 18m02311. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.18m02311

National Health Service.Epilepsy Symptoms.

Davies J, Read J.A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based?Addictive Behaviors. 2019;97:111-121. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.027

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