Brain zaps and menopause
Brain zaps can best be described as sensory disturbances that feel like an electrical shock or vibration in the brain. Everybody experiences brain zaps a little differently. What causes this phenomenon? Research suggests that brain zaps are mainly caused by stress. They can also be side effects of medication or withdrawing from medication. How does this work exactly? What can you do to ensure you stay mentally balanced?
I get brain zaps when I don't take my meds exactly at the same time, or sometimes randomly when I turn my head too fast. - Kitty (age 62)
Brain zaps, or brain shivers, are not a common symptoms of menopause, but they can be very unsettling. The connection between brains zaps and menopause has not been researched a lot so far, therefore little is known about how often brain zaps occur in menopausal women and what causes them to occur.
However, research conducted by the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb has shown that brain zaps, as a withdrawal symptom after antidepressant use, seem to affect women more than men. It is also reported that they are more likely to occur just before falling asleep, just before a hot flash or in people who are sleep deprived.
What is happening in your body?
While the exact causes of brain zaps during menopause are not yet fully understood, hormonal changes are thought to be contributors. However, the underlying mechanism in the body that causes you to experience these shocks is not entirely clear.
It is believed that shifting hormones cause your nervous system to misinterpret signals, preventing neurons in your brain from doing their job properly. Strangely enough, this nerve miscommunication feels like a brief electric jolt to the head (or in other parts of your body).
Oestrogen stimulates the production of serotonin. When oestrogen levels begin to fluctuate and fall during menopause, serotonin levels in the brain drop, too. Serotonin is a chemical that promotes feelings of well-being and happiness (which is why feeling down or depressed is common during perimenopause and menopause). Abrupt changes in serotonin levels can also cause electrical shock-like sensations.
Other causes
Other menopause symptoms such as stress and anxiety can also increase the risk of brain zap symptoms. Stress has an effect on the nervous system, and here too, too much stress changes the way the brain's neurons communicate with each other.
There is scientific evidence that suggests that brain zaps are a side effect of abruptly stopping certain medications, especially antidepressants. However, even if you don't stop abruptly and slowly taper off antidepressants, you can still get these symptoms. Why? Because serotonin levels in the brain suddenly drop. The same applies to drug use, which also affects serotonin levels in the brain.
What can you do?
Brain zaps are a side effect and, in most cases, will go away within a few days or weeks. Here are some things you can do to reduce (or prevent) them.
- Taper off your medication. In most cases, brain zaps are a side effect a person may experience as they change their dosage or stop taking a medication, in particular antidepressants. Therefore, it's best to taper off your medication gradually rather than stopping abruptly. Do not stop taking your medication without consulting your GP first.
- Prioritise rest and relaxation. In this stressful and hectic world, we sometimes forget how to unwind. In fact, sometimes we don't even realise that we are stressed, because it has become our default mode. What helps to reduce the stress response in your body? Take several breaks every day, do relaxation exercises, go for walks in nature, write down your thoughts, say ‘no’ more often and don't bite off more than you can chew. This may take some getting used to. However, menopause requires you to pause, reset and reflect. So be kind to your body. It's working hard behind the scenes.
- Eat foods that contain amino acids (L-tryptophan). Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is found in a wide variety of protein-containing foods, including salmon, eggs, poultry and dairy products. Although not supported by scientific evidence, tryptophan is commonly used for sleep problems, hormonal issues and low mood.
- Focus on getting a good night’s sleep. Sleep is the most important aspect of health. Sleep deprivation affects your brain: when you're running on insufficient sleep, you are more susceptible to stress (which, in turn, affects your ability to sleep well). Improve your sleep habits (sleep hygiene).
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What treatments can help?
There are no treatments for brain zaps (yet). Do you also have other symptoms besides brain zaps? Then you could consider hormone therapy.
Can hormone therapy help?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces lost hormones to counteract symptoms of menopause. HRT can alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems and mental health symptoms. Are you experiencing any other symptoms besides brain zaps? Then HRT might be an option for you. HRT has made a huge a difference for many women.
Sources
- Psychiatrist.com. (2023). Study Tackles the Mystery of Brain Zaps in Antidepressant Withdrawal. https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/study-tackles-the-mystery-of-brain-zaps-in-antidepressant-withdrawal/
- Felman A, Moawad H MD. Medical News Today. (2023). Everything you need to know about brain zaps. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/brain-zaps#summary
- Papp A, Onton JA. (2018). Brain Zaps: An Underappreciated Symptom of Antidepressant Discontinuation. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. PMID: 30605268.
- VICE. (2016). Why You Get 'Brain Zaps' After Taking MDMA, and How You Can Stop Them. https://www.vice.com/en/article/brain-zaps-sleep-paralysis-mdma-ecstasy/
- Ekhart GC, van Puijenbroek EP. Psyfar. (2014). Schoksensaties door serotonine heropnameremmers. https://databankws.lareb.nl/Downloads/2014_4_schoksensaties_Psyfar.pdf
- Folk J, Folk M. (2021). Electric Shock Feeling, Zapped Anxiety. https://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-disorders/symptoms/electric-shock-feeling/
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FAQ
What does a brain zap feel like?
In a study of over 3,000 participants, researchers found that everybody experiences brain zaps a little differently. More than 50 percent of the participants indicated that brain zaps have a negative impact on their daily lives. Most participants described them as an electric shock-like feeling in the brain or head, lasting about a second. Sometimes accompanied by crackling or buzzing sounds. Some people reported feeling confused, dizzy or disorientated, or described the episodes as euphoric, or even orgasmic-like experiences.
Do brain zaps damage the brain?
There is no evidence to suggest brain zaps are harmful or damage the brain. They are caused by stress or a side effect of medication discontinuation, and are not a condition in itself. Brain zaps generally go away on their own after a few weeks.
