brain zaps

8.5x11 and 11x14 size available - on matte artist quality paper <3

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This piece is an exploration into how medication/drug withdrawal physically feels, to raise awareness and empathy for all of us who've experienced it and who will in the future <3 It can effect anyone in the modern day for so many reasons, its important to understand so we can approach it with more humanity and compassion <33.

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At first it's a slight buzzing, that grows increasingly harder to ignore. Eventually it feels like you've gotten the flu but worse, your bones ache deeply, irritability becomes more intense, every slight movement is dizzying, and there is a constant electric shock repeatedly rattling through your skull, often described as brain zaps. You can't stop sweating, your vision appears in slow motion still frames, and depending on the substance, there is a nausea that just doesn't stop. This doesn't end until it is either out of your system, possibly taking days to months; or until you are able to get the substance your body is withdrawing from. 

It does scare me that if the pharmacy has a shortage or if I can't get ahold of my doctor, that it could make me sick for days, and it makes my heart hurt for those who are dependent on substances where there is even more judgement and less support. I think it's important to process these feelings in a visual way to share and bring light to often hidden experiences due to societal un-comfortability. We are all human, and deserve empathy in healing, not judgement that only perpetuates harm.