GlossarySSRI discontinuation syndrome

SSRI discontinuation syndrome

A cluster of symptoms occurring when SSRIs are stopped abruptly or tapered too quickly. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, flu-like sensations, irritability, insomnia, and "brain zaps" — brief electric shock-like sensations in the head or extremities. Severity varies by drug: highest risk with paroxetine and venlafaxine; lowest with fluoxetine (despite its long washout time). Always requires a clinician-supervised taper. Relevant for anyone considering transitioning from SSRIs to psilocybin therapy.

Full Explanation

SSRI discontinuation syndrome is a cluster of symptoms occurring when SSRIs are stopped abruptly or tapered too quickly. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, flu-like sensations, irritability, insomnia, and "brain zaps" — brief electric shock-like sensations in the head or extremities. Severity varies by drug: highest risk with paroxetine and venlafaxine; lowest with fluoxetine (despite its long washout time). Always requires a clinician-supervised taper. Relevant for anyone considering transitioning from SSRIs to psilocybin therapy.

See: Microdosing on SSRIs (/guides/microdosing-on-ssris).

Why It Matters

Knowing about SSRI discontinuation syndrome is essential when planning a switch from an SSRI to psilocybin — tapering must be gradual and supervised.

Related Guides

Microdosing on SSRIs

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