Brain zaps and menopause: what you need to know

While the exact causes of brain zaps during the menopausal transition are not yet fully understood, hormonal changes around menopause 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 around menopause, serotonin levels in the brain drop, too. Serotonin is a chemical that promotes feelings of well-being and happiness (which is why, among other things, feeling down or depressed can be common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause). Abrupt changes in serotonin levels can cause electrical shock-like sensations. 

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. 

Hormonal changes can also trigger a variety of menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems and mood swings. 

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. 

Brain zaps are a side effect and, in most cases, will go away within a few days or weeks. Getting adequate sleep, reducing stress and relaxing your mind are your best options for managing brain zaps. Here are some other things you can do to reduce (or prevent) them. 

• Gradually taper off your dosage of 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 realize 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. 
• Take supplements to improve mental resilience. Although there is no scientific evidence to back up the effectiveness of omega 3, Vitamin B and/or magnesium in reducing brain zaps, some people swear by taking supplements. 
• 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). There are also supplements that induce relaxation and help you sleep.