I ve been taking Buspar (10mg 3x a day) for about 3 months now for anxiety. It took the medication a few weeks before it started working and it gave me headaches for a few weeks but after that I thought everything was fine. Now, in the last week I ve been experiencing these "brain zaps" that feel like electrical pulses through my brain. They are very startling, uncomfortable and actually increase my anxiety. Has anyone else experienced these sensations before? What did you do to alleviate the symptoms? I m seriously considering quitting the Buspar all together but I m afraid of my anxiety coming back. As far as I know, Buspar is the only thing out there for anxiety that isn t habit forming and that is not an anti-depressant and that isn t a benzo. I am staying far away from benzos as I have had a terrible experience from withdrawing Valium! Any help/experience with Buspar would be much appreciated!
Can Buspar cause Brain Zaps?
- Asked
- 27 Oct 2015 by sheilac3102
- Updated
- 18 Mar 2018
- Topics
- buspar, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, medication, brain, brain zap
Responses (11)
It could be the BuSpar. I recommend, if you aren't already doing this, that you make sure you are always taking with food or always taking without food, but don't alternate between both ways. This will keep the blood levels more steady over the day. Whether this may help, don't know. If not, I would let the doctor know of your symptoms.
sheilac3102, As far as I know Buspar has not had that problem,I was on the 15mg 3 times daily for over 6 months and just tapered off of it slowly for my own sake and never had that problem If they continue make sure you let the doctor know. And by the way I never tried this but I have heard several people say taking 600mg of Ibuprofen and extra water helped them get through the Brain zaps I have had them from SSRI'S but never from Buspar. Have a good day. Chuck1957
Thank you! I will try the ibuprofen trick. I hope it works. I am going to call my doctor too. Thanks again!
I had a good experience with Buspar. It helped me for about a year and a half. For me, I bounced up and down on doses, and found that I did better with lower doses, alleviating my anxiety, with less side effects. My target doses were 5 mg. I decided to off of it a couple of weeks ago, just quit one day, no repercussions, no withdrawal syndrome. It works good when it works, I highly recommend it for anxiety.
I just started Buspar in the past week and went from not having any brain zaps to having them on two occasions when I was really stressed. I'm in the same boat as you I am excited to take something that's non-habit forming for anxiety but do the symptoms outweigh the benefits? Currently I'm so groggy, I sleep all day and only awake for about 6-8 hours a day. I'm going to give it a few more weeks because it does take 2-4 weeks to get in your system. Good luck!
Started taking Buspirone 4 days ago for panic disorder. I have yet to feel any relief but I'm sure it's too early. I'm on 10mg 3x a day. After about 20 minutes I get the brain jerking feeling which is uncomfortable so I'm assuming it's the brain zaps users refer to. Feels like your brain is uncontrollable pulsing every 10-30 seconds. But enough through off your balance sometimes.
I'm hoping to see results in the next 2 weeks. Good luck to you all.
Hi shellac: My experience with Buspar has been that low doses are more beneficial, at least in my case, with lesser side effects. When I went up to 10mg doses, I had similar side effects as you have described. When my dose was reduced to 7.5mgs twice a day, it really kept the anxiety away. I even did very well at 5mgs. twice a day dosing. I didn't do as well taking it three times a day at any dose, but I really don't have an explanation as to why that is the case. I usually take it around 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Works great for me!
@ Rondog: Oops! My comment was in reply to you, sorry bout that!
That's fine Gnc. It's all one long board. :)
Thank you all for your responses. I've been off buspar now since last year. I found that taking 5mg doses during the day and 10mg before bed helped with the headaches and brain zaps. I never took more than 5mg during the day and I took my doses the same time every day. Taking ibuprofen and drinking lots of water also helped with the brain zaps!
I just started this medication 500 mg twice a day I took one and started filling these brain zaps everytime I blink it's like electricity going through me but it wasn't just in my head it was also my hands and chest I couldn't see this being safe so I didn't take the second dose I will try again today with food and see if it happens again if so I will be contacted my doctor if you spoke with your doctor about this what did he tell you

Further Information
- BuSpar Information for Consumers
- BuSpar Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of BuSpar (detailed)
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I take it without food every time and the same time each day. I have alarms set on my phone for every 8 hours: 6:00am, 2pm, and 10pm.