Is there a technical term for the phenomenon known as "brain zaps"?

Question

Many people (especially those who take antidepressants), including myself, are familiar with the experience of what has been called "brain zaps". I was not aware that the sensation had a name or that it was experienced by other people until very recently. I always thought of it as a mental strobe effect or mental flashes. However, it appears that the popular term for it is indeed "brain zaps". People who take antidepressants know this feeling because it often reminds them that they haven't taken their medication that day.This is quite obviously not a medical diagnosis, and it is difficult to imagine a less technical term for the symptom. Is there a real name for this condition or symptom?

Answer 1

Typically these ‘sensations’ are experienced by people weaning off SSRI’s or SSNRI’s. Basically, these are harmless perceptions and of no consequence except annoyance.

Remember the brain is unable to feel pain but it is able to receive signals that stimulate certain sensations. Most likely these perceptions and sensations are the result of serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Patients prescribed Effexor often feel these ‘zaps’ in the extremities. Again, it has more to do with probably nerve transmission in dopamine and serotonin levels than actual electrical discharge.