Benzodiazepines
{Benzos, Blues, BZDs, Tranks, Z-Bars, Downers}
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Effects
You can find here the most common effects of benzos. Despite the large variety of benzos, their effects are comparatively similar. Where they diverge is in the timing, duration and intensity of these effects. This list is not definitive, nor exhaustive; you may not experience all these effects every time you consume benzos, and your friends around you may have a vastly different experience, possibly experiencing effects not listed here. Remember, the likelihood of experiencing negative effects is much greater at high doses.
The effects are (from positive to negative): 2 3
Reduction of anxiety and aggression
Relaxation
Euphoria
Sleepiness
Loss of time
Weight gain or loss due to appetite fluctuation 4
Poor motor skills due to impaired coordination
Muscular weakness
Poor concentration and memory
Dizziness
Emotional blunting
Dry mouth
Constipation and urination problems
Depression and suicidal thoughts
Paradoxical symptoms sometimes occur, possibly due to acute withdrawal syndrome. They are more commonly seen with short-acting drugs whose action wears off rapidly:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Aggression
- Increase in risk-taking behaviour
- Increase in sexual arousal
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
Sometimes we take too much, here’s what you can expect to happen when overdosing, both internally and externally so that you might detect the signs of an overdose in others 5.
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Lack of coordination and shuffling walk
- Irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Memory loss
- Loss of consciousness
References
1 Dassanayake, T., Michie, P., Carter, G. and Jones, A. (2011). Effects of Benzodiazepines, Antidepressants and Opioids on Driving. Drug Safety, 34(2), pp.125-156. DOI: 10.2165/11539050-000000000-00000.
2 Canada, H. (2018). Benzodiazepines - Canada.ca.
3 Benzo.org.uk. (2012). Benzodiazepines: How They Work & How to Withdraw.
4 Cooper, S. (1989). Benzodiazepines and appetite: Recent pre-clinical advances and their clinical implications. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 4(2), pp.81-89. DOI: 10.1002/hup.470040203.
5 Hojer, J., Baehrendtz, S. and Gustafsson, L. (1989). Benzodiazepine poisoning: experience of 702 admissions to an intensive care unit during a 14-year period. Journal of Internal Medicine, 226(2), pp.117-122. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1989.tb01365.x.
6 Partanen, T., Vikatmaa, P., Tukiainen, E., Lepäntalo, M. and Vuola, J. (2009). Outcome after Injections of Crushed Tablets in Intravenous Drug Abusers in the Helsinki University Central Hospital. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 37(6), pp.704-711. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2009.01.016.
7 Starcevic, B. and Sicaja, M. (2007). Dual intoxication with diazepam and amphetamine: This drug interaction probably potentiates myocardial ischemia. Medical Hypotheses, 69(2), pp.377-380. DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.12.033.
8 Mattila, M.J. and Nuotto E. (1983). Caffeine and theophylline counteract diazepam effects in man. Medical Biology, 61(6), pp.337-43.
9 Emmanouil, D. and Quock, R. (2007). Advances in Understanding the Actions of Nitrous Oxide. Anesthesia Progress, 54(1), pp.9-18. DOI: 10.2344/0003-3006(2007)54[9:AIUTAO]2.0.CO;2.
10 Jones, J., Mogali, S. and Comer, S. (2012). Polydrug abuse: A review of opioid and benzodiazepine combination use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 125(1-2), pp.8-18. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.07.004.
11 Kroboth P.D., Smith R.B., Stoehr G.P. and Juhl R.P. (1985). Pharmacodynamic evaluation of the benzodiazepine-oral contraceptive interaction. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 38(5), pp.525-32.
12 D'Arcy P.F. (1986). Drug interactions with oral contraceptives. Drug Intelligence & Clinical Pharmacology, 20(5), pp.353-62.
13 Starcevic, B. and Sicaja, M. (2007). Dual intoxication with diazepam and amphetamine: This drug interaction probably potentiates myocardial ischemia. Medical Hypotheses, 69(2), pp.377-380. DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.12.033.
14 Parle, M. and Dhingra, D. (2003). Ascorbic Acid: a Promising Memory-Enhancer in Mice. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 93(2), pp.129-135. DOI: 10.1254/jphs.93.129.
15 Partanen, T., Vikatmaa, P., Tukiainen, E., Lepäntalo, M. and Vuola, J. (2009). Outcome after Injections of Crushed Tablets in Intravenous Drug Abusers in the Helsinki University Central Hospital. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 37(6), pp.704-711. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2009.01.016.
16 Chen, J.P., Barron, C., Lin, K.M., and Chung, H. (2002). Prescribing medication for Asians with mental disorders. Western Journal of Medicine, 176(4), pp.271--275.
17 Volkow, N.D., Wang, G.J., Fowler, J.S., Hitzemann, R., Gatley, S.J., Dewey, S.S., Pappas, N. (1998). Enhanced sensitivity to benzodiazepines in active cocaine-abusing subjects: a PET study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 155(2), pp.200-6.
18 Verster, J. and Volkerts, E. (2006). Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Efficacy, and Behavioral Toxicity of Alprazolam: A Review of the Literature. CNS Drug Reviews, 10(1), pp.45-76. DOI: 10.1111/j.1527-3458.2004.tb00003.x.
19 Haque, W., Watson, D.J., Bryant, S.G. (1990). Death following suspected alprazolam withdrawal seizures: a case report. Texas Medicine, 86(1), pp.44-7.
20 Barker, M., Greenwood, K., Jackson, M. and Crowe, S. (2004). Cognitive Effects of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use. CNS Drugs, 18(1), pp.37-48. DOI: 10.2165/00023210-200418010-00004.
21 Takada, M., Fujimoto, M. and Hosomi, K. (2016). Association between Benzodiazepine Use and Dementia: Data Mining of Different Medical Databases. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 13(11), pp.825-834. DOI: 10.7150/ijms.16185.
22 Harnod, T., Wang, Y. and Kao, C. (2015). Association Between Benzodiazepine Use and Epilepsy Occurrence. Medicine, 94(37), p.e1571. DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000001571.
23 Riss, J., Cloyd, J., Gates, J. and Collins, S. (2008). Benzodiazepines in epilepsy: pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 118(2), pp.69-86. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2008.01004.x.
24 Kadoi, C., Hayasaka, S., Tsukamoto, E., Matsumoto, M., Hayasaka, Y. and Nagaki, Y. (2000). Bilateral Angle Closure Glaucoma and Visual Loss Precipitated by Antidepressant and Antianxiety Agents in a Patient with Depression. Ophthalmologica, 214(5), pp.360-361. DOI: 10.1159/000027521.
25 Begleiter, H. and Kissin, B. (1996). The Pharmacology of Alcohol and Alcohol Dependence. New York: Oxford University Press, p.128.
26 Ramsey-Williams, V., Wu, Y. and Rosenberg, H. (1994). Comparison of anticonvulsant tolerance, crosstolerance, and benzodiazepine receptor binding following chronic treatment with diazepam or midazolam. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 48(3), pp.765-772. DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(94)90344-1.
27 Høiseth, G., Andås, H., Bachs, L. and Mørland, J. (2014). Impairment due to amphetamines and benzodiazepines, alone and in combination. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 145, pp.174-179. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.10.013.
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