What Benzos Do To the Brain: Understanding the Neurological Impact of Benzodiazepines

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, benzodiazepines are one of the most prescribed medicines in the United States. Benzodiazepine is a sedative medicine that can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepine is used for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasm, and so on.  

Regardless of the positive side, the long-term effects of benzodiazepines deserve a certain amount of introspection. Benzo is primarily prescribed for short-term recovery from illnesses. However, dependence on benzodiazepines can lead to severe and harmful physical and psychological dependence on the drugs. Leading to addiction, a patient can be prone to long-term effects such as dementia. The blog is going to be useful to understand various aspects of benzodiazepines that can have short and long-term effects on your health.

Key Takeaways

• Whether benzodiazepines cause dementia
• How benzodiazepines affect your brain
• Short and long-term effects of benzodiazepines

How Benzodiazepines Affect Cognitive Ability 

Benzodiazepine reduces the activity in the brain responsible for thinking, remembering, feeling, and even breathing. It affects the brain by numbing your emotions and stopping you from grieving properly, causing therapeutic effects as well. 

How do Benzodiazepines Affect Your Brain?

In other words, benzodiazepine drugs increase the effect of GABA on your brain and body. GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is a neurotransmitter that sends a calming message to the body (Source: Medical News Today, 2024). GABA slows down brain activity by decreasing the stimulation of nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that can have a calming effect as they communicate the message between brain cells. If the effects of GABA are increased in your body, it sends a calming message to the body and mind.

Benzodiazepine reduces the overstimulation caused by anxiety. When a person feels anxious, having a dose of benzodiazepine can counter the overstimulation, leading to a calming effect on the body and mind. Despite the calming effects of benzodiazepines, they carry potential dangers to cognitive and emotional well-being.

Can Benzodiazepines Be Taken Without a Prescription?

It is important to note that the drug is tightly regulated and is only available with a prescription. An intake of benzodiazepines without a prescription can be dangerous to the cognitive functioning of your brain.

Because long-term use of benzodiazepines can have dangerous side effects on your body and mind in various ways, it can make you feel confused, as it disrupts the ability of a person to think clearly. Having an overdose of benzodiazepine can lead a person to have slurred speech. This is because benzodiazepine dependence reduces activity in brain regions, especially in the cerebellum and motor cortex. 

These regions are important for the mind to function well for smooth and coordinated movement. It can be more dangerous and fatal if a person uses the benzodiazepine drug with other drugs such as opioids, leading to the effects building up in the body, affecting the central nervous system. 

Short-term Effects of Benzodiazepines

Visible Symptoms of BIND

The danger of having benzodiazepines lies even when you take them for a shorter period of time. Because of the risk, it is prescribed only under conditions where there are no options but a benzodiazepine. Regardless of the reduction of the intake of benzodiazepines, changes in the brain and nervous system may persist and manifest as symptoms. Even after a year, according to PLOS ONE, the authors claim that 3 out of 4 people, which is 76.6% of the patients prescribed benzodiazepine, still have symptoms of Benzodiazepines Induced Neurological Disorder (BIND). The common symptoms that can be seen among the patients are:

• Stomach pain 
• Feeling anxious
• Tiredness or lack of energy
• Faster or irregular heartbeat

Moreover, the symptoms can be severe, which can include hallucinations, seizures, and so on, from the long-term use or misuse of benzodiazepines.

Scientific Explanation of BIND in the Brain 

The reason behind BIND can be caused by the increased level of chemicals in your brain, like glutamate. An increased level of chemicals in a person’s body can lead to overstimulation. It can also be worsened by hippocampal changes that result in decreased memory and cognitive ability, lowered brain neuroplasticity, and excessive neuroinflammation.

Understanding the problems associated with benzodiazepines, it is essential to search for alternative therapies or medications depending on the disease. Benzodiazepines should be taken only if prescribed by a doctor or medical professional, as an overdose can have similar effects to drugs and alcohol.

Risk of Dementia from Benzodiazepines

The reason behind the growing rate of dementia among the elderly populations in the United States is the intake of benzodiazepines. A loss of memory, inability to solve any problems, and even daily functioning are hampered by the disease named dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It is a brain disease that slowly damages brain cells due to a buildup of abnormal proteins. 

According to research conducted for the study, Benzodiazepine Use and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: Case-Control Study, it has been found that there is an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and it is associated with the long-acting benzodiazepines. An overdose of benzodiazepines is the cause of the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease among the elderly population (who were the subject of the study). The reason behind the correlation is that the usage of benzodiazepines reduces the flow of blood to the brain, worsening the memory structure needed to calm down and remember. 

However, some studies do not support the causal link between the overdose of benzodiazepine and dementia. In fact, according to a study, Benzodiazepine Use and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly Population: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses, published on the National Library of Medicine, shows that there is actually an inverse relationship between the usage of benzodiazepines and dementia. Even though there are various drugs to slow down the progression of dementia, it cannot be cured by any medicine. The susceptibility to dementia is more closely correlated with the age of the patients.

Case Study- A Depressed Divorced Middle-Aged Woman

A white, middle-aged, divorced mother and lawyer has been very depressed since the loss of her job 2 years ago. She was at risk of a suicide attempt, and her family was scared. She was struggling to sleep well as she began to experience lifelong symptoms of anxiety. She feels that the worst is still to happen. 

When she met a psychiatrist, a benzodiazepine was prescribed to her by a physician. Because of her fear of flying, after her mother died in a plane accident, she took several lorazepam tablets.

Because of her marital problems, she had had brief trials of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. The dosage of benzodiazepine has led to her speech being slurred. She became irritable and showed a low IQ score, which is quite surprising. (Steward, 2005).

Recovery and Healing at Guiding Road Recovery Center

Our professional team has an unwavering commitment to support and guide you to recover from benzodiazepine use disorder.

Our service has 3 features that can help guide you to recover from the addiction to benzodiazepines:

Holistic Therapies

We encourage you to set your routine by having a healthy atmosphere. Yoga, sound therapy, and many more options are available for you to heal spiritually. Our holistic methods aim to address not just the addiction itself, but also the underlying factors contributing to it, allowing for a more comprehensive and effective treatment experience.

Individualized Treatment

We understand that each person’s journey is unique. We don’t provide a one-size-fits-all solution for all types of patients. By understanding what you are going through, we ensure that your journey to healing becomes an easier one. We take a sufficient amount of time to understand your challenges and goals that meet the needs of an individual. 

Residential Program

Staying with us, you will be able to find a healthy atmosphere. Being surrounded by positive and supportive people, you will be able to find solace in the residence. Our residential program provides a safe space to focus on healing and developing healthy habits. With a sense of community and belonging, you will be on the way to achieving wellness.

FAQs

Q1: Can short-term use of benzodiazepines cause brain damage?

There is a potential short-term risk of experiencing physical dependency on benzodiazepines after 4 weeks. If a high dose of benzodiazepines is consumed, then there is a potential short-term risk of brain injury. However, if used under medical supervision, it would be considered safe for a short period of time. 

Q2: How long does it take for the brain to recover after stopping benzodiazepines?

It typically requires 2-6 months to recover after complete discontinuation. However, it depends on the amount of dose, individual factors, and the duration of use. If used for a short period of time, it would be possible to recover within a few days or a week. If used for a long time, it can take many months and even a year.

Q3: Are there alternative treatments to benzodiazepines for anxiety and insomnia?

Yes, there are many alternatives to treat anxiety and insomnia. Healthy options would be to exercise and eat nutritious food with certain nutrients, such as magnesium.

Q4: What should I do if I’m concerned about the effects of benzodiazepines on my brain?

Talk to your physician or psychiatrist and look for alternative options. Anyone who shows signs of an overdose or an adverse reaction after taking benzodiazepines will need emergency medical help.

Conclusion

Having benzodiazepines can have short and long-term impacts on your body, depending on how long you use them. Excessive dosage of benzodiazepines can have a negative impact on the functioning of your brain. It should be taken with proper medication to avoid the risk of suffering from benzodiazepines induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) or dementia. Having a healthy brain is important to lead a productive, balanced, and fulfilled life. 

Without proper guidance from professionals, it can be challenging for you to overcome the addiction to benzodiazepines. At Guiding Road Recovery Center, we use evidence-based holistic methods to help you recover from substance abuse. We understand that it is not an easy journey to move forward in a healthy manner without strong support. 

Reach out to us at (480) 588-2328.

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