How to Stop Electric Shock Sensations in the Brain (Brain Zaps) Naturally

A brain zap, also known as an electric shock sensation in the brain, is described as an electric shock, flashes of light, or a sound indicating that something is breaking inside the head. Regardless of how each patient describes it, it is a withdrawal symptom experienced after stopping (or missing doses of) certain medications, such as antidepressants such as Cymbalta®, Effexor, Zoloft , citalopran, and Prozac® (fluoxetine) (very rare). These sensations usually disappear within one to three months. To manage or eliminate this symptom, the best option is to ask your doctor to help you reduce your medication doses in a controlled manner. You can also make lifestyle changes and take supplements whose effectiveness has not been scientifically proven (but generally without any health risks).

Gradually stop medications

Don't stop taking your medications abruptly. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the causes of these electric shock sensations in the brain, it is well known that abruptly stopping certain medications can cause them to occur. SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRI (selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) antidepressants are the most associated with this sensation in the brain. Therefore, if you are taking them, don't stop taking them abruptly..

• Abruptly stopping an antidepressant can also cause other serious physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions for stopping your medication.
• The withdrawal process from other medications can also cause these feelings, including benzodiazepines (medications designed to relax muscles or reduce anxiety) and Adderall, a medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Abruptly stopping the illicit drug ecstasy (MDMA) is also associated with this problem. As with antidepressants, you should always stop taking these medications under the supervision of a doctor.
• It is very important to follow your healthcare professional's recommendations for gradually reducing your benzodiazepine doses. Abruptly stopping these medications can be dangerous and even lead to seizures if you were taking them every day .

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. You will need to follow their instructions regarding how to gradually decrease your dose. Rather than stopping your medication abruptly, you should slowly reduce your dose over a period of several weeks to months. The slower you decrease your dose, the less likely it is that you will experience the sensation of shock in the brain. However, be aware that regardless of how the dose is decreased, some patients experience this side effect.

• For example, your healthcare provider may instruct you to reduce your daily dose of fluoxetine in one- to three-week increments by following this schedule: 60 mg, 40 mg, 30 mg, 20 mg, and 10 mg (effectively 20 mg every other day)
• Some doctors recommend titration (titrimetry), which is the gradual and methodical reduction of the amount of antidepressant. This involves reducing the size of the tablet by a chosen percentage (e.g., 10%). Then, the process involves reducing the tablet dose again (again by the original percentage), and so on. This method should only be attempted with the help of a doctor.

Make sure you don't miss any doses during withdrawal. You'll also want to make sure you don't miss any during treatment. Sometimes, this symptom serves as a "reminder" to warn the patient that they've missed a dose of medication. To avoid this, try creating (more convenient) reminders to take your medication on a regular schedule.

• Set a reminder or alarm on your mobile phone, for example, to take the medication at the same time every day.
• To gradually taper off medication, you will usually need to decrease the dose of the pill. This does not involve changing the time or frequency of taking it.
• Ask your doctor what you should do if you miss a dose. Do not try to catch up or increase your next dose in any way unless your doctor recommends it.

Switch to another medication that will act as a bridge. If you need to stop taking a medication, you will need to do so. The length of time an antidepressant remains active in the body (called its half-life) may impact withdrawal symptoms such as electric shock sensations in the brain. Introducing another bridging medication with a longer half-life, such as fluoxetine, may be helpful in eliminating or at least reducing this type of discomfort.

• For example, if you are gradually stopping Cymbalta®, your doctor may prescribe increasing doses of Prozac® (fluoxetine) while reducing the dose of the first one. Once you stop taking Cymbalta®, you can withdraw fluoxetine more easily.
• However, do not attempt to do this without consulting a doctor.

Only resume your medication if withdrawal becomes debilitating. With patience, persistence, and support, most people are able to overcome the unwanted symptoms and the electric shock sensations in the brain. However, if they are unbearable, the only option may be to temporarily resume your medication, at least for a while, and try reducing the dose at another time..

• Talk to your healthcare provider about the pros and cons of restarting the medication you are trying to gradually stop taking.
• There is no set timeframe for how long to wait before trying to taper off the medication again. Work with your doctor to determine the best time for you.
• You won't always have the same withdrawal symptoms the next time. These symptoms may change due to unknown factors or because you stopped taking the medication differently (e.g., more slowly).

Make behavior changes

Reduce your stress levels by doing calming activities. Stopping antidepressants is quite a stressful process and dealing with the feelings will only make things worse. According to some patients, the feelings are more frequent or more severe when they are very stressed. For this reason, try calming activities that will help you reduce your stress .

• Yoga , meditation , deep breathing , a warm bath and listening to soothing music can help.
• Light exercise (such as walking or moderate-intensity cycling) may calm you down, but in some cases it can exacerbate the sensations.
• Some patients report that aromatherapy is very effective because of its calming effects. For example, you could add a few drops of lavender, bergamot, or rose to an essential oil diffuser

Avoid horizontal eye movements. Also, don't do anything that resembles them. Moving your eyes from side to side very quickly is an action that triggers this electric shock sensation in many patients. Some report that moving their head from side to side or up and down has the same effect. If you notice that making these kinds of movements causes these symptoms, be sure to avoid them.

• For example, if moving your eyes from side to side triggers symptoms, avoid following the ball when watching a game of table tennis.

Remember that these electrical sensations are not dangerous. Also, know that they will eventually stop. Unfortunately, they are very real, can be frustrating, disorienting, and sometimes even painful. However, there is no evidence that they cause any short- or long-term harm. Furthermore, even though they may take weeks, months, or even years, know that they will eventually stop..

• Tell yourself that you will recover and seek support from friends, parents, and doctors to help you through these times.
• One theory regarding this symptom states that this unpleasant sensation is due to a decrease in a "calming" chemical in the brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Over weeks or months, GABA levels should return to normal.

Trying unproven methods

Increase your water intake . If, as some experts believe, the brain zap is linked to the drop in GABA in the brain, increasing water intake should not directly influence symptom improvement. However, like many other unproven methods, some patients swear that drinking enough water provides beneficial effects against this symptom.

• Fortunately, drinking plenty of water is good for everyone, and it's almost impossible to drink so much that it causes problems..
• Proper hydration can make you feel better, both physically and emotionally, which may make the sensations less noticeable.

Eat a nutrient-rich diet . As with drinking water, there is no scientific evidence linking diet to electric shock sensations in the brain, but maintaining a nutrient-rich diet will benefit your mental and physical well-being.

• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day to get a wide variety of nutrients. Supplement your diet with whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats..
• Try to minimize your consumption of nutrient-poor foods, such as canned snacks and soft drinks.

Talk to your doctor about taking Benadryl®, which may help reduce this symptom. Benadryl® is the most common brand name for diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, which some patients report reduces these sensations, although it's unclear exactly how it works. However, it's worth discussing this option with your doctor.

• Benadryl® and other forms of diphenhydramine are available without a prescription, but it is still necessary to consult a specialist before taking them, as they can interact with certain medications and cause even worse side effects.

Try various supplements. If your doctor allows it, you can do so. There is no evidence that any one supplement is effective against these symptoms, but you can take one for a few days or a week and see if there is any improvement. Then, if there is no effect, try taking another supplement .

Some of the most commonly mentioned supplements for reducing electric shock sensations in the brain include omega-3 supplements, vitamin B12, spirulina, and huperzine.

• Before trying any new supplement, consult a doctor first. There is a risk that they may interact with other medications and cause other side effects.