Brain zaps: Difference between revisions

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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 series of brief vibrations or jolts of electricity that can cause intense discomfort, disorientation, and distress.~~<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 reuptake inhibitors]] (SSRIs) or ~~[[serotonin–norepinephrine~~ reuptake inhibitors]] (SNRIs) such as [[sertraline]], [[paroxetine]], and [[venlafaxine]]. It can also be caused by [[MDMA]] use 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. [[Tramadol]], an [[opioid]] painkiller with SNRI properties, has also been reported to cause brain zaps upon abrupt discontinuation.<ref> "SSRIs and SNRIs: A review of the Discontinuation Syndrome in Children and Adolescents~~." (~~2011~~) by Hosenbocus S, MD FRCP(C) and Chahal R, MSW.~~ | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3024727/</ref>~~<ref> "Fireworks~~ or ~~Brain Zaps? Antidepressants and brain zapping." (2011) By Jean Pollack, Ph.D~~. | ~~https://www~~.~~psychologytoday.com/blog/creativity-way-life/201107/fireworks-or-brain-zaps</ref>~~

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]].

~~Fish oil has~~ been reported to provide temporary relief from this affliction, although scientific literature supporting this claim is sparse.{{citation needed}}

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]]

</onlyinclude>

===Psychoactive substances===

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

*[[SSRI]]s

*[[SNRI]]s

{{#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===

*[[Responsible use]]

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===External links===

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressant_discontinuation_syndrome Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (Wikipedia)]

===References===

[[Category:Physical]] [[Category:Uncomfortable]] [[Category:Effect]]

[[Category:Physical]][[Category:Uncomfortable]][[Category:Cerebrovascular]][[Category:Effect]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 <onlyinclude>
-'''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 series of brief vibrations or jolts of electricity that can cause intense discomfort, disorientation, and distress.<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 reuptake inhibitors]] (SSRIs) or [[serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors]] (SNRIs) such as [[sertraline]], [[paroxetine]], and [[venlafaxine]]. It can also be caused by [[MDMA]] use 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. [[Tramadol]], an [[opioid]] painkiller with SNRI properties, has also been reported to cause brain zaps upon abrupt discontinuation.<ref> "SSRIs and SNRIs: A review of the Discontinuation Syndrome in Children and Adolescents." (2011) by Hosenbocus S, MD FRCP(C) and Chahal R, MSW. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3024727/</ref><ref> "Fireworks or Brain Zaps? Antidepressants and brain zapping." (2011) By Jean Pollack, Ph.D. | https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/creativity-way-life/201107/fireworks-or-brain-zaps</ref>
+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]].
-Fish oil has been reported to provide temporary relief from this affliction, although scientific literature supporting this claim is sparse.{{citation needed}}
+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]]
 </onlyinclude>
 ===Psychoactive substances===
 Compounds within our [[psychoactive substance index]] which may cause this effect include:
-*[[SSRI]]s
-*[[SNRI]]s
 {{#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===
 *[[Responsible use]]
@@ Line 19: / Line 33: @@
 ===External links===
 * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressant_discontinuation_syndrome Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (Wikipedia)]
 ===References===
 <references/>
-[[Category:Physical]] [[Category:Uncomfortable]] [[Category:Effect]]
+[[Category:Physical]][[Category:Uncomfortable]][[Category:Cerebrovascular]][[Category:Effect]]