How does Valium affect the brain?

The chemical compounds known as benzodiazepines, such as Valium, calm the brain by discouraging neurons from firing.

Are benzodiazepines bad for your brain?

Excessively using benzodiazepines can harm the brain. In addition to slowing down activity in the central nervous system, GABA also reduces activity in brain regions responsible for rational thought, memory, emotions, and breathing. This means that excessive benzodiazepine use can lead to: Memory challenges.

Can long term use of Valium cause dementia?

“Our study suggests benzodiazepines may not cause dementia after all,” says Gray. “But we still advise that health professionals should avoid using these risky medicines in older people because of the other adverse events such as increased risk for confusion, falls, car accidents, and other injuries.”

Do Benzos affect intelligence?

The results indicated that current long-term benzodiazepine users were significantly impaired in all of the cognitive domains measured (Barker et al., 2004a) including sensory processing, psychomotor speed, non-verbal memory, visuospatial processing, speed of processing, problem-solving, attention/concentration, verbal …

What does bupropion do to the brain?

This medication works by improving your mood and your sense of well-being. This is achieved by restoring the chemical balance of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Bupropion is also used off-label for the treatment of a variety of health conditions such as: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Can bupropion cause memory problems?

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, agitation, confusion, unusual behavior/thinking, memory loss), unusual weight loss or gain.

What are the effects of Valium on the brain?

Chemical dependency and addiction are two of the most serious effects of Valium on the brain. Once the central nervous system has adjusted to the use of diazepam to regulate electrical activity, the user may need higher doses of the drug to achieve the same positive effects.

Do benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax cause brain damage?

Last week, Britain’s Independent newspaper published a bombshell for psychiatry and medicine: the country’s Medical Research Council had sat on warnings voiced 30 years earlier that benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax can cause brain damage.

What happens if you take too much Valium?

Users may experience dangerous, even fatal, seizures, along with extreme anxiety, agitation, memory loss, and exhaustion. As a long-acting benzodiazepine, Valium remains in the system longer than short-acting drugs in the same family, such as alprazolam (Xanax) or lorazepam (Ativan).

Is Valium (diazepam) addictive?

Valium is one of the most commonly prescribed Benzodiazepines. Although it can be very effective in treating a variety of anxiety and sleep disorders, the drug still poses the risk for addiction and abuse. Valium, generically known as Diazepam, is a prescription Benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures.