alt Hacker News>I remember i used to get them when I was reading something i found clever or funny
I have to ask do these zaps feel good, bad, do they hurt, do they tickle. I can't quite imagine what zap is supposed to mean.
Without any history of SSRI use, when I read something funny or clever, I've often experienced a weird feeling which could be described as electric, but also tickly and kind of good feeling. Mostly in my brain and upper spine.
I also get this listening to ASMR audio. Not sure if that's the same thing we're referring to though.
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No these are like literal electric zaps in your brain and they are somewhat painful. Also scary... Its not just a weird feeling and definitely a response to altered brain chemistry, as they diminish and disappear after weaning off.
Similar to a shudder that wakes you up before you fall asleep, but only in the head. Pretty annoying but not terrible. Unless it happens every minute, which it sometimes does.
excitement / ASMR moment
No, absolutely not like that.
No, it's different. Brain zaps feel like a little unpleasant jolt of static electricity in your brain. They're hard to describe. It's not exactly painful but it's not pleasant.
For all the doom and gloom of SSRIs, I haven't had any real side effects and they've helped a lot