Contents:
- Medical Video: My Honest Thoughts on Xanax, Valium and Other Benzodiazepines (Anti Anxiety Medications Explained)
- What are benzodiazepine drugs?
- How do benzodiazepine drugs work?
- What are the side effects of benzodiazepine drugs?
- Benzodiazepine drug abuse
Medical Video: My Honest Thoughts on Xanax, Valium and Other Benzodiazepines (Anti Anxiety Medications Explained)
Maybe you've heard the news lately viral, related to the abuse of benzodiazepine drugs. Then what is the benzodiazepine? What are the functions and side effects of the drug?
What are benzodiazepine drugs?
Benzodiazepine drugs are drugs that are categorized as psychoactive drugs. This drug is usually used to treat symptoms of psychological disorders such as anxiety disorders (anxiety disorder) and insomnia. Benzodiazepines act as sedatives, anti-anxiety, hypnotics (makes sleep easier), and can relax the muscles of the body.
You cannot arbitrarily get this medicine, because benzodiazepine drugs are included in the list of drugs that must be redeemed by prescription. In the medical world, benzodiazepines are used for:
- Overcome various psychological problems such as insomnia, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and acute depression.
- As a sedative during surgery
- Prevent or overcome seizures
- Overcome alcoholism
How do benzodiazepine drugs work?
Benzodiazepines work directly in the central nervous system and affect the process of sending signals in the brain. When a person feels too anxious, the brain will become overactive and 'excited' as a result of feeling depressed because of receiving stimuli from the outside. To normalize the situation, someone must send a 'calm' signal, so the brain returns to its original activity - no longer being overactive.
It is this benzodiazepine drug which then works by increasing the nerve cell response which is responsible for providing a 'calm' signal to other nerve cells. In addition to enhancing nerve cell responses, this drug also keeps the 'calm' effect going longer, so the brain doesn't experience pressure again in a short time.
What are the side effects of benzodiazepine drugs?
In its use, these sedatives cause several side effects such as:
- Causing drowsiness
- Confusion
- Headache or dizziness
- Trembling body
- Impaired coordination, it is difficult to balance the body if you are standing or walking
- Depression arises
- Blurred vision
- Nervousness arises
The use of high doses can cause a person to become difficult to breathe then coma. Whereas sa study reported in the British Medical Journal stated that long-term use of benzodiazepines would increase the risk of dementia or senility. The use of this drug can cause dependence, so its use must be careful and in accordance with the advice of the doctor.
Benzodiazepine drug abuse
Sedatives such as benzodiazepines are often misused to deal with psychological symptoms that actually do not require the use of these drugs. Or, the use of this drug is not monitored by medical personnel, so that the function of the drug is not on target.
As previously explained, benzodiazepines work to soothe and restore stressed brain activity. If someone consumes the drug but there is no excessive activity in the brain, then this drug will only reduce brain function and make brain performance chaotic.
