All about the side effects of benzodiazepines and how they work

What are benzodiazepines? Benzos are drugs used mainly for anxiety, tension, insomnia or epilepsy. In practice, they are often prescribed to bring temporary calm to the head or body. But what exactly do they do? And what are the risks of long-term use? In this blog, you will discover in a straightforward and understandable way everything about how benzodiazepines work, possible side effects, the different types of benzos and what users themselves say about them.

Effect of benzodiazepines: how do they work?

Benzodiazepines (simplified to ‘benzos’) affect the action of a substance in your brain: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA acts as a kind of ‘brake’ on your nervous system. When you are tense or have trouble sleeping, this brake is less active. Benzodiazepines enhance this effect of GABA, making you feel calmer or fall asleep more easily.

The effects of benzodiazepines usually occur quickly: you often feel the calming effect within an hour. Therefore, these drugs are often used for short periods, for example, for acute insomnia or severe anxiety symptoms.

Common effects of benzodiazepines:

• Less tension or anxiety;
• Better sleep;
• Muscle relaxation;
• Reduced feelings of panic.

Sounds positive, right? But the effects come with a downside. Especially with long-term use, these drugs can also come with drawbacks. You can read more about that below.

Risks and side effects of benzodiazepines

As with many other drugs, benzodiazepines can also cause side effects. Sometimes, you may notice these side effects after only a short time. The side effects of benzodiazepines vary by person and type, but are more common than many people think.

Possible side effects and risks of benzodiazepines are:

• Daytime sleepiness;
• Reduced concentration or memory problems;
• Dizziness;
• Muscle weakness;
• Reduced coordination (especially dangerous in traffic);
• Drowsiness or confusion, especially in the elderly;
• Flattening of emotions.

With long-term use, habituation and dependence can occur. Your body gets used to the dose and you need more and more to achieve the same effect. You build up a so-called tolerance to these substances. In addition, quitting benzodiazepines can be difficult because of withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, sweating or restlessness.

It is therefore very important to agree with your doctor on how long you will use them and at what dosage. Preferably, do not use benzodiazepines for more than a few weeks at a time.

Different types of benzodiazepines

There are many different benzodiazepines, each with its own mode of action, duration of action and application. In general, we distinguish between short-acting, medium-acting and long-acting drugs. Short-acting benzos are usually prescribed for sleeping problems, while long-acting variants are more often used for anxiety disorders, epilepsy or tension complaints. Benzos such as oxazepam and diazepam are also colloquially called ‘pams’, referring to the ending sound of many substance names.

Some benzodiazepines are available in tablet form, but variants also exist as drops or injections. The latter are often used in hospitals and psychiatric institutions to quickly suppress panic or severe anxiety.

Table overview of commonly used benzodiazepines

There are many different benzodiazepines and each type is used for a different purpose. In addition, the effect and duration of the effect differ from one type to another. Below, you can see the most common benzodiazepines clearly and conveniently presented in table form:

Experiences with benzodiazepines

User experiences with benzodiazepines vary widely. Some people find relief from anxiety or sleep problems, while others experience side effects or dependence. Below are some representative quotes from users who have shared their experiences on forums such as Drug-Forum and Reddit: 

‘During a period of intense panic attacks, I noticed that using benzodiazepines significantly reduced my anxiety levels. As a result, I felt more resilient and was able to resume daily tasks without being constantly haunted by anxiety.’ - Reddit

‘I did experience intense side effects for a week after one use, including having totally zero memory of 2 full days. For me a good reminder that benzos are really not worth the drawbacks, especially if you use it in recreational doses.’ - Drugs-Forum

These experiences highlight the usefulness, but also the importance of using benzodiazepines cautiously and under medical supervision. If you are considering starting or stopping this medication, always consult a doctor or specialist.

Controversy around (side) effects of benzodiazepines

The combination of the effects and side effects of benzodiazepines makes doctors increasingly critical about prescribing them. You therefore see that general practitioners nowadays more often opt for short-term use or alternatives, such as relaxation exercises, talks or other medication.

Have you started using benzodiazepines yourself or are you considering using them? Always discuss your doubts, wishes and goals with a doctor. It helps to be well informed beforehand about the possible side effects benzodiazepines can cause and the course of treatment. Never combine with alcohol or other substances, this can be life-threatening.

Please note: this blog is for information purposes only. Never use or stop medication without consulting your doctor or practitioner.

Want to know more about how benzos work or experiment safely within controlled frameworks? If so, check out our range of benzodiazepines and always read the product information carefully. Use wisely.