Long-Term Benzodiazepine (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) Use Destroys Neural Connections in the Brain

https://scitechdaily.com ^ | MARCH 27, 2022 | By LUDWIG MAXIMILIAN UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH

[Red Badger]

Neuron With Extensions and Microglia Cells Neuron with extensions (blue) and microglia cells (red) interacting with synapses. Credit: Y. Shi and M. Cui

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Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use Attacks Synapses LMU scientists have discovered the means by which the long-term taking of benzodiazepines leads to cognitive impairments.

Benzodiazepines are effective and widely used drugs for treating states of anxiety and sleep disorders. While short-term treatments are considered safe, their long-term intake can lead to physical dependence and, particularly in the case of older people, to cognitive impairments. The mechanisms by which benzodiazepines trigger these changes had previously been unknown. Researchers led by Prof. Jochen Herms and Dr. Mario Dorostkar from LMU’s Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) have now been able to demonstrate in an animal model that the active ingredient leads to the loss of neural connections in the brain.

Common Benzodiazepines

Xanax (alprazolam)

Klonopin (clonazepam}

Ativan (lorazepam)

Valium (diazepam)

Librium (chlordiazepoxide)

Restoril (temazepam)

A key role is played by immune cells of the brain known as microglia. Benzodiazepines bind to a specific protein, the translocator protein (TSPO), on the surface of cell organelles of the microglia. This binding activates the microglia, which then degrade and recycle synapses — that is, the connections between nerve cells. Experiments carried out by the scientists showed that the synapse loss in mice that had received a daily sleep-inducing dose of the benzodiazepine diazepam for several weeks led to cognitive impairments.

“It was known that microglia play an important role in eliminating synapses both during brain development and in neurodegenerative diseases,” said Dr. Yuan Shi and Mochen Cui, co-authors of the study. “But what really surprised us was that such well-researched drugs as benzodiazepines influence this process.” When diazepam treatment was discontinued, the effect persisted for some time, but was ultimately reversible.

In the opinion of the researchers, the study could have effects on how sleep disorders and anxiety are treated in people at risk of dementia. “Drugs that are known to have no binding affinity to TSPO should be preferred where possible,” say the authors.

Reference: “Long-term diazepam treatment enhances microglial spine engulfment and impairs cognitive performance via the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO)” by Yuan Shi, Mochen Cui, Katharina Ochs, Matthias Brendel, Felix L. Strübing, Nils Briel, Florian Eckenweber, Chengyu Zou, Richard B. Banati, Guo-Jun Liu, Ryan J. Middleton, Rainer Rupprecht, Uwe Rudolph, Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Gerhard Rammes, Jochen Herms and Mario M. Dorostkar, 28 February 2022, Nature Neuroscience. DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01013-9

[Bob434]

Supposedly cbd works to help folks sleep. If interested look into Lazarus naturals, ax they have a very,good reputation and a less expensive product especially if a person is disabled or a vet. They get 60% off.

[Red Badger]

Talk to your doctor.

Anxiety could be a hormonal imbalance or a dietary insuffiency, like potassium deficient (me)...........

[shadowlands1960]

Same for me. The fact that Xanax works so well against panic attacks is actually considered a drawback. Xanax has less of a half life than the older benzos (Klonopin, Valium) which means that it clears from the bloodstream faster making one susceptible to ‘rebound anxiety.’ You probably know all this from personal experience. My MD switched me to Klonopin and eventually I overcame my anxiety issues by way of exercise. I still power walk over 40 miles a week and I’m in my early 60s.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

I have .5 mgs but only take on an “as needed” basis.

Was on Effexor some years ago. Noticed if I missed a dose...would go into withdrawal. Caused weight gain as well. Doc weaned me off using another SSRI. Won’t be taking that again.

Talk to your doc about your concerns and options.

[ChildOfThe60s]

My sister-in-law has been taking Xanax daily for 40 years. And it shows. She also has developed a tolerance and so takes a lot. She’s 65.

For many of those years she washed it down with vodka. She is on the wagon now as regards alcohol. But it has all taken a very heavy toll on her mental capabilities.

[bobcat62]

You beat me to it. ;-)
Do you think Pelosi is on these meds?

[muggs]

Same with me. I take lamotrigine and klonipin. Seizures come back when i stop the klonipin, other wise they are completely controlled.

I do wonder if they are contributing to my Parkinson’s though.

[COBOL2Java]

Do you think Pelosi is on these meds?

With her I think it's Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome

[muggs]

I take CBDand THC. Both my neurologists said to keep taking it.

[HighSierra5]

I can’t remember.

[jmacusa]

Four years ago I was diagnosed with an anxiety condition by a psychiatrist who was a God send. This man not only practices psychiatry he's also a neurologist .

He's not one of the Freudian types who says “You have clinical depression because you developed a resentment when your baby sister was born’’.

No, you're clinically depressed because you have a serotonin re-uptake problem in the brain. He's a very soft spoken man, you never get the feeling you're being rushed out of his office. He listen's, something a lot of doctors don't do, he answers any questions I have, asks me how things are going. He's a good doctor. He diagnosed my anxiety condition which seemed to kick in about the time my Dad died. I've been on Xanax for four years and it has made a huge difference in my life. I have never felt I was abusing it, or feeling like I wanted to ''get high'' from it. I treat as medication and take it responsibly. Everyone is different in how medications affect them and I would certainly agree because of the addictive nature of benzodiazepines they can be a problem. Never have been for me. It allows me to function in the sometimes busy and stressful job a keeping a busy hospital ER clean and sanitized. Hate to think where I'd be if I hadn't found this doctor and this medication.

[jmacusa]

I sometimes go through that many in a week depending on the severity my anxiety and panic attacks. I have to take Xanax twice a day , as needed.

[jmacusa]

Yes “Xanny’’ is a street nick name for Xanax.

[ChildOfThe60s]

This is sold in supplement form as PEA. Life Extension brand has a chewable form.
Those I know who take it, including my wife and myself find that the most noticeable effect is it enhances sleep. Our family doctor says it is perfectly safe.

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Palmitoylethanolamide: A Natural Compound for Health Management
Paul Clayton 1 , Mariko Hill 2 , Nathasha Bogoda 2 , Silma Subah 2 , Ruchitha Venkatesh 3
Affiliations

PMID: 34069940 PMCID: PMC8157570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105305

Free PMC article
Abstract

All nations which have undergone a nutrition transition have experienced increased frequency and falling latency of chronic degenerative diseases, which are largely driven by chronic inflammatory stress. Dietary supplementation is a valid strategy to reduce the risk and severity of such disorders. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator with extensively documented anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. It is well tolerated and devoid of side effects in animals and humans. PEA’s actions on multiple molecular targets while modulating multiple inflammatory mediators provide therapeutic benefits in many applications, including immunity, brain health, allergy, pain modulation, joint health, sleep and recovery. PEA’s poor oral bioavailability, a major obstacle in early research, has been overcome by advanced delivery systems now licensed as food supplements. This review summarizes the functionality of PEA, supporting its use as an important dietary supplement for lifestyle management.

[jmacusa]

Try Ambein. I take it. It's not a benzo and it's not habit forming.
Works like a charm. No heavy headed ''hangover'' feeling the next day.

[ro_dreaming]

Of particular interest since I’m on clonazepam.

[dljordan]

“In the 1970’s just about everybody had a Valium prescription........................”

And Librium.

[gas_dr]

You should seek medical advice from a physician who knows you as it pertains to you personally.

However, on the last decade we have learned a lot about benzos. They are not great drugs. We used to use a lot of versed preoperatively (Midaazolam is an amnestic) and we used to use it as a drip on critical care for ventilated patients. Some really great work came out demonstrating how benzos promote delirium which can be fatal on critically ill adults. As it turns out about 5% of patients wake up off the chain from anesthesia and we figured it out that it was emergence delirium because of benzo.

They are also quite addictive. And in combination with opioids are quite deadly. Once in a while you can use them IV to stop seizures, but generally we have other meds for prophylaxis and for treatment of seizures

In general, I rarely I’d ever use benzos in my practice anymore. They have an awful lot of bad effects and this study is not surprising given what we have known about this class of drugs.

[tet68]

Bump.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“When I used to get panic attacks in my late 50’s, Xanax was of big help. It is one of the very meds which did not upset my stomach. I cured my panic attacks by playing 5 rounds of golf every week, and then never needed Xanax. But I am in awe of how good it worked.”

I suffer from Panic attacks and extreme anxiety. Xanax has been a tremendous help, especially when I was dealing with the depression from Covid.