You’re not the only one who has strange electrical sensations in your head that feel like little jolts. These odd sensations are referred to as brain zaps, and they may sometimes leave you feeling uneasy. While most commonly associated with withdrawal from antidepressants, many people report having brain zaps after stopping anxiety meds or even after missing a dose. To understand more about the symptoms, take a look at this guide to brain zaps to gain insight into the causes and how long they last.
The brain zaps are alarming, but the good thing is that they are usually only temporary. Providing your nervous system with the proper nutrition, adding certain vitamins, and other lifestyle changes may help the nervous system recover more smoothly and reduce the brain zap sensations. Below, let us understand what brain zaps are, what causes them, and detail some vitamins and other supplements that may help in reducing the symptoms.
Understanding Brain Zaps: What They Are and Why They Happen
Brain zaps are short, shock-like sensations that feel as though they originate from the head. They may also feel like a buzzing or electric shock that descends down the neck or the eyes. These sensations may be disorienting and uncomfortable, but they are not dangerous.
Professionals explain that brain zaps result from sudden changes in brain serotonin and other neurotransmitters. This happens when someone stops taking SSRIs and SNRIs antidepressants. The brain briefly misfires when there are strange electric sensations during periods of concentration.
Although not everyone going through brain zap syndrome experiences it during withdrawal, it is a frequently reported symptom of discontinuing treatment for mood and anxiety disorders. Understandably, this knowledge can help formulate other management strategies, including nutrition.
See also: Understanding the Tenaculum: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals
Common Triggers and Causes of Brain Zaps
While there is no definitive cause of brain zaps, they can be triggered and intensified by a number of things. The most common is abruptly decreasing antidepressant medication. Stress, a poor diet, and lack of sleep can also be factors.
The most common trigger for brain zap syndrome is a drop in serotonin levels. When this happens, the electrical communication in the brain becomes unstable, and zap sensations are triggered. Deficiencies of other nutrients and dehydration in general are also factors. Brain zaps syndrome can also be triggered by caffeine and alcohol.
Going too quickly with lower medication doses might cause unwanted side effects such as brain zaps. There is a reason health professionals suggest a supervised gradual dose reduction. Symptoms might still occur in the absence of a plan. During this time, your body is going to need more maintenance. Balancing nutrition and targeted supplements ought to minimize the symptoms.
The effects of nutrition and diet on your brain
The brain is influenced directly and indirectly by how food is prepared and what is eaten. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, B complex vitamins, magnesium, and other proteins are key to nerve health and in the making and modifying of neurotransmitters. Stress and other imbalances occur due to a deficiency in nutrition. During this time, the brain increases the need for nutrition.
You can make the process of withdrawal easier with the right nutrition. A balanced diet with whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and all other staples provides the body with what is needed to rebuild and repair. Stress, inflammation, and other oxidative stress cause damage to nerve cells. Other cells with the right nutrients can help. Antioxidants are protective and help with damage control. Berries and other leaf greens are high in nutrients. Eating foods rich in omega-3s, such as salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts, can enhance mood and help the brain cope with chemical fluctuations. Foods such as spinach, avocado, and almonds, which are high in magnesium, assist in nerve transmission and relaxation and provide relief from the brain zaps.
Best Supplements for Relieving Brain Zaps
When the diet doesn’t help as much, supplements can assist in brain zap relief. Some natural supplements can help rebalance the body and soothe the nervous system.
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
These are some of the most researched supplements concerning brain health. Brain cell membranes and neurotransmitters are affected by omega-3s. With regular use, omega-3s help ease irritability and anxiety, and the electrical jolting.
2. Magnesium Glycinate:
Every person needs magnesium to relax and calm down overactive neurons. Nerve and muscle relaxation, and magnesium buffered glycinate is the most effective, and magnesium glycinate is the one that is for long-term use.
3. L-Theanine
L-Theanine is in green tea and encourages calmness. It helps the brain produce GABA and serotonin, which soothes and stabilizes the brain, especially during withdrawal.
4. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan):
This supplement naturally increases the body’s production of serotonin, which helps ease mood swings. It can reduce the side withdrawal symptoms, such as mild brain zaps. However, this supplement should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional, especially if you’re still tapering off of antidepressants.
5. GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid):
GABA is a calming neurotransmitter and helps ease the overstimulation of the nervous system. It can also be helpful for the tension and restlessness that accompany brain zaps.
These supplements work best alongside a healthy diet and proper hydration. Particularly, if you’re on prescription medication, always speak to a healthcare professional before starting new supplements.
Key Vitamins for Nervous System Health
Correcting vitamin deficiencies is important for the overall balance of the nervous system and to avoid the extreme sensitivity that can lead to brain zaps. Focusing on the recovery of essential nutrients helps alleviate discomfort and promotes quicker recuperation.
Vitamin B Complex:
Vit B6, B12, and folate are vital for the formation of neurotransmitters and assimilation of food for energy and mood regulation. Deficits in these vitamins, especially during withdrawal, can increase irritability and fatigue. To support serotonin production and repair of damaged nerves, proper nerve B vitamins will increase the cofactors that the body’s enzymes require to function.
Vitamin D:
This vitamin helps regulate mood and the functions of the immune system. When levels are low, one may experience symptoms of depression and fatigue, even brain fog. Mood disorders can improve with supplementation and spending time outdoors.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is well-known for its antioxidant effects. It also helps with nerve cell protection and the adrenal glands, which help your body manage anxiety and fatigue related to withdrawal.
Vitamin E:
This antioxidant is good for brain inflammation and overall brain function. It helps with recovery from inflammation and protects the delicate liquid layers that surround nerve cells.
These added vitamins, along with other targeted supplements, can help give your body the needed resilience that is required to adapt to sudden chemical changes.
Lifestyle Changes to Complement the Use of Supplements
If brain zaps are your primary symptoms, supplements will not help if lifestyle habits that are straining your nervous system are kept in place. Mindfully and purposely shifting your habits will help your recovery process and improve overall well-being.
Having regular sleep is crucial. Your body needs sleep to recover and for the brain to stabilize neurotransmitter functions. Factors like the absence of electronic devices before sleep, the calmness of the sleep environment, and a consistent sleep routine can help a lot.
Proper hydration is important, too. Water helps prevent the brain zaps from worsening. Reducing the intake of caffeine and alcohol helps too. These two substances result in nervous system overstimulation.
Calming overstimulated neurons with gentle yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises helps with stress and improves withdrawal. These practices, in combination with the other unscribed holistic approaches and the right supplements, help in balance restoration.
When to Have a Doctor Check in on the Brain Zaps
When the body is going through withdrawal, there is an absence of brain zaps. However, that doesn’t mean the withdrawal is working. If the brain zaps are persistent and worsening, a clinician should be able to help.
Doctors and psychiatrists are able to assess where the problem in the tapering process is or what other underlying problem is present. They may need holistic assistance, like a shift in the approach of therapy, prescribing or removing medications, and supporting the withdrawal process with meds.
Everyone is different. This means what works for one person may not work for you. You may have to try different combinations of vitamins, supplements, and changes to your habits for some time before you figure out what works.
Final Thoughts
Balancing and stabilizing your mental health after any medication withdrawal can be difficult, but it can be done. With the right habits, patience, and support, the intensity of brain zaps can be reduced, and the overall mental health can be maintained.
At Addiction Free Recovery, we recognize the impact of working through these symptoms and the loneliness it can bring. Every step of the way, we provide the necessary guidance and resources to work through the recovery and help maintain mental clarity and emotional stability. If symptoms of withdrawal have impacted your emotional state, we encourage you the reach out and work through supportive care options.
