Electrical Flow and Brain Zaps
While the entire picture remains far from complete, pieces of information hopefully shed some light regarding the mechanics of electricity, chemical exchange, and the brain. Neurologists study the way electrically charged neurons “fire” from cell to cell within the brain and CNS, sending impulses along the axons (which could be likened to hydro lines strung pole-to-pole that send power across a city). Thankfully, hydro lines are insulated, so we don’t get electrically shocked or zapped when we walk or drive down the street.
Similarly, there is a myelin sheath that insulates the whole length and breadth of each nerve cell (neuron). The sheath wraps the long axon part of the neuron that houses the mitochondria (energy producers) much like the vulnerable inner sapwood of a tree is insulated and protected by tree bark. In the myelin sheath, the insulation extends out over each of the tens of thousands of synapses that string themselves outward from the body of the cell. (Interestingly, these closely resemble the branches of a tree.) Evidence now exists showing that damaged mitochondria are linked with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.3
A good example of uninsulated electrical flow might be witnessing the sparks that fly after a windstorm brings down and severs electrical power lines. Hopefully, you have only seen this on film or video. The point is that electrical impulses flow perfectly along an insulated line until a breach impedes and disrupts the flow of electrons. One also notices that fixing a cut power line involves mainly restoring the integrity of the insulation around the wire. The electricity flow will take care of itself without harming anything in its environment once that insulation breach is repaired. No more sparks.4
Nutrition Plays an Important Role
These observations may seem oversimplified, but indeed the analogy is intriguing enough to invite further study of the mechanics that may be connected to brain shivers and uncomfortable electrical jolts and how to best heal from and avoid them. Within this amazing symphony of electrical flow and organic chemical metabolization and action, the brain and CNS are designed to perform thousands of coordinated and health-sustaining tasks. But nutrients provide the raw materials for function and support. There is a tsunami of literature on the role of nutrition and mental health, and a few interesting examples are listed, with more detailed explanations given below.
Lexapro Brain Zaps — Notes on Nutrition and Neuron Health
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Adequate proteins
- Vitamin A
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12
- Glutathione
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D3 (niacin) and tryptophan
- Vitamin E
- Healthy gut microbiota
One example from clinical trials on the subject of peripheral nerve regeneration after traumatic or chemical injury is the neuroprotective role of adequate protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids. PUFAs can be added to the diet with avocado oil, pure fish oils, and olive oil. Vitamin A from vegetable sources and supplementation has also been proven to prevent psychiatric symptoms and prevents the development of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Vitamin D3 from plant or animal sources has also been shown to play multiple roles in neuron regeneration, and mental health, specifically in reducing the incidence of depression. Vitamin E deficiency has been shown to correlate with delayed nerve regeneration. Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. None of the B vitamins can be synthesized by the body except for B3 (niacin) which is synthesized with tryptophan. B vitamins B1, B6, and B12 in particular support neuron regeneration so these are highly recommended for supplementation. B2 regulates glutathione, an important antioxidant, as well as supports myelination throughout the nervous system B5 is necessary for the creation and maintenance of the myelin sheath. B9 (folic acid) also improves neuron regeneration. Vitamin C given orally helps repair nerves after traumatic injury. Support for a healthy gut microbiome is also essential for many aspects of physical and mental health, including having a positive effect on neurological disorders. A massive amount of research has arisen in recent times highlighting the importance of a correct diet that provides prebiotics, probiotics, proteins, and other substances that are needed to support microbiome health. In turn, microbiome health leads to improved mental health.13,14 There are many known examples of targeted nutritional factors that can be utilized for improvements.
Lab-testing at Alternative to Meds Center can uncover deficiencies that may urgently need to be corrected.
A big part of brain/CNS support is providing the right raw ingredients to fuel the machine, which is why we value the role of nutrition so highly, as one of the most important and fundamental parts of our program at Alternative to Meds Center.5,6,10,11
Healing After Lexapro Withdrawal Brain Zaps
Through their research, neuroscientists tell us that the myelin sheath that wraps and insulates nerve cells is made of fat and other components. Myelin is destroyed by drugs, alcohol, high sugar, poor sleep, vitamin and mineral imbalances and deficiencies, and other known factors.
While no one has yet determined that degraded myelin sheathing is 100% responsible for zaps during and after drug binges and withdrawal, certainly no harm and possibly much good could come from doing the things that support adequate nutrition, providing the exact raw materials that afford and safeguard myelin production and so many other factors that support natural mental health.
Alternative to Meds Center provides a holistic drug withdrawal and recovery program which abides by the nutritional guidelines of orthomolecular medicine and seeks to repair and stabilize neurochemistry after drug and alcohol damage, well-supported by neurotoxin removal.
The removal of neurotoxins plays no small role in the repair of health. Neurotoxins may have damaged or impacted nerves, myelin, and other tissues and disrupted their vital and highly complex, specialized functions in a healthy body. The importance of neurotoxin removal cannot be overstated. Having a “clean machine” gives our clients true relief from toxin-induced symptoms, providing substantial improvements in natural mental health.8,9
Find Out More
Our focus is on recovery. Sadly, most inpatient mental health programs are focused just about everywhere else and on anything else you can think of, but NOT on recovery. Studies around the world have shown a breathtaking absence of recovery-focused programs.12
We know you seek recovery from disturbances to your natural mental health. This is our focus and our programs achieve results without relying on prescription drugs which in our view can only provide something like a “fake recovery” where symptoms as masked, but their root causes are still very much a threat to future health outcomes. We want to discover and resolve root causes for unwanted symptoms.
Contact Alternative to Meds Center to find out more about our protocols that aim to help those in recovery from drugs and other substances through a comprehensive treatment program that involves restoring health, and removing impediments to health, in a very comfortable residential setting. We will happily provide detailed information concerning our phases of treatment, which can be viewed in detail on our services overview pages. We have been dedicated for nearly 2 decades now, to assist you or a loved one who seeks help with the correction of addictive biochemistry, safe medication reduction, and other issues including Lexapro withdrawal brain zaps.
