Can sertraline make you feel spaced out?

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study published in Neuropsychopharmacology in 2023, up to 60% of people taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline may experience emotional blunting, a flattening of feelings that can contribute to a spaced-out sensation. This detached, zoned-out feeling is a known effect of many antidepressants and often manageable.

Quick Summary

Feeling detached or 'spaced out' is a reported side effect of sertraline, often tied to emotional blunting, cognitive changes, or a form of dissociation. This sensation is typically temporary during the initial adjustment phase but can sometimes persist. Strategies like dosage adjustments or lifestyle changes can help manage it, but medical advice is always necessary.

Key Points

Sertraline can cause a spaced-out feeling: This is a known side effect, often referred to as emotional blunting, which dampens both positive and negative emotions.
Initial vs. persistent effects: A temporary spaced-out feeling can occur during the first few weeks of starting sertraline, but a persistent feeling may require medical evaluation.
Mechanism involves serotonin: The drug's mechanism of increasing serotonin levels can affect the brain's reward pathways, leading to emotional detachment.
Other cognitive effects: Cognitive issues like difficulty concentrating or memory problems can also contribute to the spaced-out sensation.
Management is possible: Strategies include adjusting the timing of the dose, implementing mindfulness techniques, and focusing on a healthy lifestyle.
Consult a doctor for severe or long-lasting symptoms: If the feeling is severe, worsening, or impacting your life, your doctor may suggest a dosage change or a different medication.
Dissociation can be a factor: In some cases, depersonalization or derealization can occur, where you feel detached from yourself or reality, though this is less common.

Understanding the Spaced-Out Feeling on Sertraline

Many people describe feeling 'spaced out' or detached when they first start taking sertraline (Zoloft), an antidepressant in the SSRI class. This can manifest as a sensation of unreality, emotional numbness, or difficulty focusing. The good news is that for many, this feeling is temporary and subsides as the body adjusts to the medication over the first few weeks. However, if it persists, it could be a sign of a deeper side effect that requires medical attention.

Neurochemical Reasons for the Sensation

Sertraline works by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood, happiness, and emotion. While this increase helps alleviate depressive symptoms, it can also disrupt the brain's reward processing system, leading to what is known as 'emotional blunting'. This emotional dampening can make both positive and negative feelings less intense, resulting in a plateau of emotions that can feel like being 'spaced out'. Researchers theorize that this interference with 'reinforcement learning'—the brain's trial-and-error feedback loop—is a key mechanism.

Other cognitive effects are also at play. Some users report difficulty with concentration, a foggy or hazy feeling, or memory problems. These changes are often related to the brain adjusting to new serotonin levels and can contribute to a general feeling of disconnection from one's surroundings or thoughts. In rare cases, more pronounced dissociative symptoms like depersonalization or derealization may occur, especially during initiation or dosage increases.

Initial Adjustment vs. Persistent Symptoms

It is critical to distinguish between the temporary, initial side effects and more persistent or severe symptoms. During the first few weeks, it's common for your body to experience a range of side effects, including feeling dizzy, tired, or spaced out, as it adjusts. This phase is usually expected to improve over time. However, if the 'spaced out' feeling lasts for more than a few weeks, worsens, or is accompanied by other severe symptoms, it warrants a conversation with your healthcare provider.

Coping with the Spaced-Out Feeling

For temporary or mild symptoms, there are several self-management strategies:

Time it right: If sertraline causes drowsiness, taking it in the evening can help minimize the effects during the day.
Maintain a routine: Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule and maintaining a regular daily routine can help ground you and reduce feelings of disorientation.
Prioritize wellness: Simple lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise and staying hydrated, can improve brain function and overall well-being.
Practice mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment through mindfulness exercises, like engaging your five senses, can be a powerful tool to combat feelings of detachment.
Stimulate your mind: Engaging in mentally stimulating activities like puzzles or reading can help counteract cognitive difficulties.

When to Consult Your Doctor

While many side effects are manageable, some require medical consultation. If the spaced-out feeling is severe, persistent, or interferes significantly with daily life, it's time to speak with your doctor. They can evaluate whether the dosage needs to be adjusted, if an alternative medication is more suitable, or if other underlying issues are at play. Do not stop taking your medication abruptly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms and relapse.

Comparison of Sertraline Side Effects: Initial vs. Persistent


Feature	Initial Adjustment (First 1-2 weeks)	Persistent or Chronic Issue
Onset	Acute, soon after starting or changing dosage.	Gradual, continues or develops after several weeks.
Nature of Feeling	Generally mild dizziness, tiredness, or brain fog. Can include some increase in anxiety.	More pronounced and consistent feeling of detachment, unreality (derealization), or emotional numbness (blunting).
Duration	Typically improves and resolves as the body adjusts.	Can continue for months or as long as the medication is taken. May require intervention.
Management	Often managed with minor lifestyle adjustments (e.g., timing the dose, hydration).	Requires medical evaluation, possibly a dosage change or a switch to a different antidepressant.
Associated Symptoms	Nausea, headache, anxiety spikes.	Reduced sexual function, difficulty experiencing joy, lack of motivation.

Conclusion: Navigating the 'Spaced Out' Feeling

The feeling of being 'spaced out' is a recognized and often perplexing side effect of sertraline. It can stem from emotional blunting, cognitive changes, or a mild form of dissociation as the brain's neurochemistry adjusts to the medication. For most, this sensation is a temporary hurdle during the initial treatment phase. However, if it persists, it should be discussed with a healthcare professional to explore options such as adjusting the dosage or trying an alternative medication. The key is open communication with your doctor, patience during the adjustment period, and proactive self-care strategies. The goal is to find a treatment that effectively manages your mental health symptoms while minimizing side effects. For more detailed information on managing side effects, the NHS website is a reliable resource, such as its guidance on sertraline side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

The feeling is often medically described as emotional blunting or a form of dissociation, such as depersonalization or derealization. Emotional blunting refers to a flattening of feelings, while dissociation involves a detachment from one's thoughts, feelings, or surroundings.

For many people, the spaced-out feeling is a temporary side effect that subsides as the body adjusts to the medication, usually within the first two weeks. However, in some individuals, it can persist longer and may indicate a need for a dosage adjustment or a different treatment.

Not necessarily. In the initial phase of treatment, it is a common adjustment side effect. However, if it persists and is accompanied by other bothersome symptoms or a feeling of emotional numbness, it may be a sign that the medication's side effects are outweighing its benefits.

Yes, if the spaced-out feeling is accompanied by drowsiness, taking sertraline in the evening might help minimize the effect during waking hours. This can be discussed with your doctor to determine if it's the right approach for you.

If you experience severe or persistent feelings of being spaced out, you should contact your prescribing doctor immediately. They can evaluate your symptoms and determine the appropriate course of action, which may include adjusting the dose or switching to an alternative medication.

Feeling spaced out can be a symptom of derealization, but not all spaced-out feelings are derealization. Derealization is a specific type of dissociation where the external world feels unreal or dreamlike. General spaced-out feelings can also be caused by emotional blunting or simple cognitive fog.

Yes, regular physical activity has been shown to improve mood and overall brain function. The endorphin release from exercise can be a powerful tool for managing both depressive symptoms and potential side effects like emotional blunting or cognitive fog.

Combining sertraline with other medications should only be done under a doctor's supervision. In some cases, a physician might consider combining it with a different type of antidepressant, like bupropion, which has a lower incidence of emotional blunting, but this is a decision for a medical professional.