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'''Brain zaps''' can be described as sharp electrical shock sensations in the head and brain which sometimes originate in the head and extend throughout the body.<ref>Fireworks or brain zaps? | Psychology Today | https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/creativity-way-life/201107/fireworks-or-brain-zaps</ref> For many, it feels as though one's brain has experienced a sudden brief but repeated vibration or jolt of electricity as if one was electrocuted.<ref name="vice>Why You Get 'Brain Zaps' After Taking MDMA, and How You Can Stop Them (Vice) http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/brain-zaps-sleep-paralysis-mdma-ecstasy?utm_source=vicefbuk</ref>
'''Brain zaps''' can be described as sharp electrical shock sensations which originate within the head or brain and sometimes extend throughout the body. For many people, it feels as though their brain has experienced a sudden series of brief vibrations or jolts of electricity that can cause intense discomfort, disorientation, and distress.


This effect can be caused by the withdrawal, dose reduction, or discontinuation of antidepressant drugs, including [[selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors]] (SSRIs) or [[serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors]] (SNRIs). It can also be caused by [[MDMA]] and the experience may sometimes last for days at a time. If caused by [[antidepressant]] withdrawal, it is strongly recommended that one taper or reduce their dose gradually instead of stopping abruptly.
Brain zaps are most commonly induced under the influence of [[withdrawal]], dose reduction, and discontinuation of antidepressant drugs, including [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor|selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors]] (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as [[sertraline]], [[paroxetine]], and [[venlafaxine]]. [[Tramadol]], an [[opioid]] painkiller with SNRI properties, has also been reported to cause brain zaps upon abrupt discontinuation.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Hosenbocus, S.)), ((Chahal, R.)) | journal=Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | title=SSRIs and SNRIs: A review of the Discontinuation Syndrome in Children and Adolescents | volume=20 | issue=1 | pages=60–67 | date= February 2011 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3024727/ | issn=1719-8429}}</ref> If caused by antidepressant withdrawal, it is strongly recommended that one [[taper]] or reduce their dose gradually instead of stopping abruptly. This effect has been reported by anecdotal sources to occur in the days after a [[dosage#heavy|heavy]] [[dosage]] of [[MDMA]].
 
Remedies to lessen the intensity or frequency of induced brain zaps include hydration (drinking enough water), supplementing for possible nutrient, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, getting adequate amounts of sleep, rest and stress relief.{{citation needed}}
 
Additionally, several compounds and nutrients have been reported to possibly provide temporary relief from this affliction, although scientific literature supporting this claim is sparse.{{citation needed}} The list includes:
* Magnesium
* Fish Oil (Omega 3)
* [[Melatonin]]
* [[5-HTP]] (5-HTP might paradoxically increase brain zaps, this substance should be taken with consideration)
* [[L-Tryptophan]]
* [[GABA]]
* [[Agmatine]]
* Spirulina
* B-Vitamin Complex, but without Vitamin B12
* [[Diphenhydramine]]
* [[Huperzine A]]
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===Psychoactive substances===
===Psychoactive substances===
Compounds within our [[psychoactive substance index]] which may cause this effect include:
Compounds within our [[psychoactive substance index]] which may cause this effect include:  
*[[Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors]] (SSRIs)
[[serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors]] (SNRIs)
{{#ask:[[Category:Psychoactive substance]][[Effect::Brain zaps]]|format=ul|Columns=1}}
{{#ask:[[Category:Psychoactive substance]][[Effect::Brain zaps]]|format=ul|Columns=1}}
===Experience reports===
Annectdotal reports which describe this effect with our [[experience index]] include:
{{#ask:[[Category:Experience]][[Effect::Brain zaps]]|format=ul|Columns=2}}
===See also===
===See also===
*[[Responsible use]]
*[[Responsible use]]
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*[[Dissociatives#Subjective_effects|Dissociatives - Subjective effects]]
*[[Dissociatives#Subjective_effects|Dissociatives - Subjective effects]]
*[[Deliriants#Subjective_effects|Deliriants - Subjective effects]]
*[[Deliriants#Subjective_effects|Deliriants - Subjective effects]]
===External links===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressant_discontinuation_syndrome Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (Wikipedia)]
===References===
===References===
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:Physical]] [[Category:Novel]] [[Category:Effect]]
[[Category:Physical]][[Category:Uncomfortable]][[Category:Cerebrovascular]][[Category:Effect]]

Latest revision as of 05:09, 4 June 2022

Brain zaps can be described as sharp electrical shock sensations which originate within the head or brain and sometimes extend throughout the body. For many people, it feels as though their brain has experienced a sudden series of brief vibrations or jolts of electricity that can cause intense discomfort, disorientation, and distress.

Brain zaps are most commonly induced under the influence of withdrawal, dose reduction, and discontinuation of antidepressant drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as sertraline, paroxetine, and venlafaxine. Tramadol, an opioid painkiller with SNRI properties, has also been reported to cause brain zaps upon abrupt discontinuation.[1] If caused by antidepressant withdrawal, it is strongly recommended that one taper or reduce their dose gradually instead of stopping abruptly. This effect has been reported by anecdotal sources to occur in the days after a heavy dosage of MDMA.

Remedies to lessen the intensity or frequency of induced brain zaps include hydration (drinking enough water), supplementing for possible nutrient, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, getting adequate amounts of sleep, rest and stress relief.[citation needed]

Additionally, several compounds and nutrients have been reported to possibly provide temporary relief from this affliction, although scientific literature supporting this claim is sparse.[citation needed] The list includes:

Psychoactive substances

Compounds within our psychoactive substance index which may cause this effect include:

Experience reports

Annectdotal reports which describe this effect with our experience index include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hosenbocus, S., Chahal, R. (February 2011). "SSRIs and SNRIs: A review of the Discontinuation Syndrome in Children and Adolescents". Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 20 (1): 60–67. ISSN 1719-8429. 
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