Benzodiazepines
{Benzos, Blues, BZDs, Tranks, Z-Bars, Downers}
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Dose and onset
How? How Much? When? For how Long?
These are important considerations. The way you consume benzos can vastly impact the experience. The same applies to the dose taken, the effects of which will vary depending on many factors such as your weight, gender, metabolism, and tolerance from previous use.
Read our section on dosing for more information.
How you take benzos matters...
Orally
Due to their origin in the medical setting, benzos typically come in tablet form. Taking tablets orally is our recommended method for minimal harm. These can be swallowed, but also chewed or dissolved under the tongue for faster absorption though their taste is unpleasant. Most tablets can easily be split in half to control dosage. Most benzos have a short onset of action when swallowed.
Snorting benzos
Snorting benzos does not seem to produce a stronger or faster high. Although evidence is limited, it is thought that benzos are not readily absorbed through the nasal cavity due to their water insoluble nature. The effects of the drug would mostly come from unabsorbed residue dripping into the throat. Snorting benzos carries the risk of nasal damage in the long-term and is reported to be very unpleasant.
Intravenous/intramuscular benzo injection
Injecting puts you at risk of HIV and other blood-borne infections such as hepatitis C, as well as collapsed veins, bruising, and other unsavoury side-effects such as sooting. Many of these risks can be mitigated by always using single-use clean needles and rotating injection sites. Benzos are especially irritating and cause tissue damage, occlude veins and might lead to need for amputation6.
How much benzos?
As discussed above, potency is where benzos differ, affecting the dose ranges and time course, with effects remaining fairly similar when taking comparable doses. As an example, the tables below show comparable light, common, and strong oral doses for four common benzos. For the endless other benzos that exist, this handy calculator allows you to make dose conversions.
When do the effects of benzos kick in?
The START time below is when you will usually begin to feel the effects of benzos from the time when you first take it. DURATION is roughly the length of time you will experience the effects, after which the effects will start to wear off and you might start to feel the comedown effects.
Different benzos have different start time and duration which will depend on the dose, the individual and the contents of their stomach. If taken orally without being on an empty stomach the onset can be delayed, the effects slightly prolonged but also slightly diminished.
References
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