Benzodiazepine - Effects on the Body

Effects on the Body

Benzodiazepines act on the area of the brain that controls emotions. They do this by boosting the effects of a neurotransmitterA substance that helps spread nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA receptor sites are especially numerous on cells in the part of the brain responsible for fear and worrying. Benzodiazepines work by increasing GABA activity. Higher levels of GABA activity help block feelings of tension and anxiety. The result is a calming effect. Some benzodiazepines bind more tightly to GABA receptors than others, causing more intense sedation.

Benzodiazepines are designed to produce feelings of relaxation and an increased sense of well-being in the user. But, along with reducing anxiety, these drugs decrease emotional reactions, mental alertness, and attention span. Common side effects of benzodiazepine use include confusion, drowsiness, loss of coordination, dizziness, and light-headedness. More serious side effects caused by these drugs are rare but can occur. They include outbursts of anger, severe depression, hallucinations, muscle weakness, extreme tiredness, loss of memory, skin rashes, itching, fever and chills, and sores in the throat or mouth.

High doses of benzodiazepines lead to symptoms similar to those caused by excessive use of barbiturates or alcohol. These include slurred speech, impaired memory, slowed breathing, and lowered blood pressure. Although overdosing on benzodiazepines alone is not likely, it has occurred. In these cases, the patients' rate of breathing and blood pressure dropped so low that they went into a coma and eventually died.

Use Interferes with Learning and Memory

Benzodiazepines seem to interfere with memory formation and learning. They "can prevent the brain from recording and adapting to new information," explained Cynthia Kuhn and her coauthors in Buzzed: The Straight Facts about the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy. "Someone who needs to learn new information should never use these drugs and expect to do so to their full potential."

For example, college students might take benzodiazepines while studying. They might use the drugs in an attempt to relax or to get a good night's sleep. However, such drugs can make it difficult for students to recall the information they need on exam day. Impaired memory is limited to events that occur during the time the drugs are being used. When the dosage wears off, new learning and memory formation become possible again.

Because they decrease mental alertness, benzodiazepines should never be used when driving or operating heavy machinery. "Benzodiazepines slow reaction time and impair driving skills, increasing the risk of motor vehicles crashes in patients who are taking [them]," explained Longo and Johnson. In addition, benzodiazepines should not be taken by pregnant women or by people suffering from lung, kidney, or liver disease.

Addiction and Withdrawal

Benzodiazepines are addictive substances. Regular use of any benzodiazepine can lead to physical and psychological dependence in as little as four to six weeks. According to a 2002 Mental Health Weekly article, taking Xanax "for more than eight weeks carries a high

To perform well on school assignments and tests, many students study for long hours. There have been reports of students using benzodiazepines in order to relax or to get a good nights sleep. However, such drugs can make it difficult for studen
To perform well on school assignments and tests, many students study for long hours. There have been reports of students using benzodiazepines in order to relax or to get a good night's sleep. However, such drugs can make it difficult for students to recall information on exam day. Instead of using drugs, many students opt to study in a group or with a friend to help them stay motivated. © Jose Luis Pelaez, Inc./Corbis.

risk of dependency." Both psychologically and physically addicted users may experience cravings for the drug, but those with physical addictions will actually experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop taking benzodiazepines. In other words, they will become ill if they don't get the drug into their systems. Withdrawal symptoms can be quite serious and range from insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and nausea, to tremors, seizures, and even hallucinations.