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Published on: 4/28/2025

What Do Electric Shock Sensations Feel Like and What Might Cause Them?

Electric shock sensations feel like sudden, jolt-like zaps or shocks that run through parts of your body. They can be caused by nerve injuries, certain medications, or conditions affecting the spine or nerves.

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Explanation

Imagine feeling a quick, zapping jolt that seems like a tiny electric shock running down your back or through your arms or legs. This is what electric shock sensations feel like. Some people describe it as a flash of electricity that comes out of nowhere. There are different reasons why someone might feel these shocks. For example, if a nerve is injured, like after a cut or an accident, the nerve might send mixed-up messages which can feel like an electric shock. Some medications, like clozapine used for mental health conditions, can also cause this side effect. Additionally, a condition called Lhermitte sign, which is linked to problems in the spine or nerves, can make a person feel a shock when they bend their neck. Real electrical injuries (like touching a live wire) can create similar sensations due to the flow of electricity in the body. Treatment and care depend on the exact cause of the shock sensations.

(References)

  • Zemaitis MR, Lopez RA, Huecker MR. Electrical Injuries. [Updated 2025 Jan 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

  • Mujahid B, Lutfi L, Alhassan A. Electric Shock Sensation and Recurrent Falls as a Side Effect of Clozapine Therapy: A Case Report. Cureus. 2024 May 26;16(5):e61143. doi: 10.7759/cureus.61143. PMID: 38933635; PMCID: PMC11199893.

  • Teoli D, Rocha Cabrero F, Smith T, et al. Lhermitte Sign. [Updated 2023 Jul 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

  • Kafiabadi MJ, Biglari F, Sabaghzadeh A, Khabiri SS, Sadighi M, Ebrahimpour A. Electric shock sign after digital nerve injury; report of a case and review of literature. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2022 May;94:107156. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107156. Epub 2022 May 3. PMID: 35658312; PMCID: PMC9092984.

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