Vivid and peculiar dreams represent a frequent adverse effect encountered when discontinuing antidepressants. These can be linked to the normalization of sleep cycles and shifts in neurotransmitter activity. This information was shared by UK psychologist Nikita Amin during an interview with the publication Metro.
The specialist highlighted sertraline, a commonly prescribed medication belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. While taking this medication, serotonin levels increase, which positively impacts sleep regulation.
The issue arises because an elevated level of this neurotransmitter suppresses the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep, which is when the most intense dreams occur. Consequently, during treatment, individuals typically recall their dreams less clearly and experience them less often.
The expert clarified that this dynamic shifts once the dosage is reduced or the medication is stopped. The REM phase rebounds, and the brain attempts to “make up for” its prior deficit. This results in dreams that are more intense, emotionally charged, and frequently unsettling.
Amin notes that discontinuing the medication causes an abrupt alteration in the concentrations of several neurotransmitters concurrently—namely, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. However, the brain’s response to this change is usually transient. The peak period of intense dreaming generally lasts anywhere from a few days up to two weeks post-cessation, with the condition progressively stabilizing over a period of three to six weeks.
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