This article is for educational and general wellness purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are noticing changes in your body or have questions about your health, please consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

Do the pros outweigh the cons? In this case, the answer is likely no — and in fact, the cons may well outweigh the pros.

Benzodiazepines have side effects such as:

• Respiratory depression
• Respiratory arrest
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Headache
• Syncope
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Tremor

They are also habit forming, and certain formulations are associated with preventing new memory formation. Research suggests these medications work by reducing nervous-system activity — which is the basis for their use in anxiety-related contexts. However, many users find that the side-effect profile creates challenges that, in some cases, outweigh the original issue they were seeking help with.

This particular study looked at why people had been prescribed these drugs. Survey respondents reported the initial reasons they were prescribed benzodiazepines were: situational anxiety (44%), insomnia (40%), panic attacks (40%), depression (33%), and generalized anxiety disorder (24%). They then described the new issues that had arisen from taking the drugs: low energy, difficulty focusing, memory loss, anxiety and nervousness, sleep problems, light and sound sensitivity, digestive problems, muscle weakness, or body aches. Of the people reporting those experiences, at least half said the problems lasted more than one year.

This may help explain why, of the 1,207 people surveyed, 90% said the new outcomes and neurological issues were worse than the primary issue they had originally sought help for. Separately, research has found that behavior modification — including changes in diet and exercise — as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, may be helpful for general wellbeing and do not carry the same long-term side-effect concerns.

Link: https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/news/20230630/anxiety-medicines-may-cause-neurological-problems