Why Do Antidepressants Cause Brain Zaps?

Key takeaways:

Antidepressants are effective in treating depression by increasing the levels of mood-related neurotransmitters in the brain.
Different types of antidepressants, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, work through different mechanisms to achieve this effect.
Stopping antidepressant medication can cause antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, which includes a range of possible symptoms, including brain zaps.
The cause of brain zaps is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be related to changes in neurotransmitter levels.

There are several types of antidepressant medication, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
All antidepressant medications aim to increase the levels of mood-related neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, in the synapses between neurons.
This can help the brain form more synapses and improve signaling in areas of the brain related to mood.

MAOIs work by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down leftover serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the synapses.
The first MAOI medication, iproniazid, was originally used to treat tuberculosis.
MAOIs can have severe side effects and require patients to follow a special diet and avoid certain medications to prevent blood pressure spikes and other side effects.

Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants work by blocking the reuptake of neurotransmitters by the neuron that sent the message, leaving more neurotransmitters available in the synapse.
They may also prevent neurotransmitters from binding to the neuron that is receiving the message.
These medications can have potent side effects because they block receptors for other, unrelated chemicals as well.

SSRIs and SNRIs are the current first-line antidepressant drugs.
SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, while SNRIs block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine.
These medications are more targeted than tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, which means they have fewer side effects.

Stopping antidepressant medication can cause antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, which includes symptoms such as dizziness, insomnia, loss of balance, nausea, and brain zaps.
The severity of these symptoms depends on several factors, including how quickly the medication is metabolized by the body and the type of medication being taken.
Some studies have suggested that there may be a genetic component to the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Brain zaps are a possible symptom of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.
They are described as a physical sensation like a jolt inside the head, sometimes accompanied by a brief auditory hallucination.
The cause of brain zaps is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be related to changes in neurotransmitter levels.
Some medications, such as paroxetine and venlafaxine, are more strongly associated with brain zaps than others.
To minimize the risk of brain zaps and other withdrawal symptoms, it is recommended to taper off antidepressant medication slowly, by stepping the dosage down bit by bit.

Summary for: Youtube