concept

benzodiazepines

Also known as: benzodiazepine

Facts (21)

Sources

Extent and Health Consequences of Chronic Sleep Loss and ... - NCBI ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Colten HR, Altevogt BM · National Academies Press 7 facts

claimInsomnia and parasomnias following a stroke are treated using temporary hypnotic drug therapies, such as zolpidem or benzodiazepines.

claimBenzodiazepines are frequently prescribed in combination with dopaminergic agents because they are effective in improving sleep continuity.

procedureContinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for sleep-disordered breathing, while insomnia and parasomnias are treated using temporary hypnotic drug therapies such as zolpidem or benzodiazepines.

claimBenzodiazepines are frequently prescribed in combination with dopaminergic agents for Restless Legs Syndrome because they are effective in improving sleep continuity.

claimRestless Legs Syndrome is primarily treated using one of four classes of prescription medications: dopaminergic agents, benzodiazepines, opioids, or anticonvulsants (central nervous system depressants).

claimThe most efficacious pharmacological therapies for insomnia are hypnotic agents, specifically benzodiazepine or nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics, according to Nowell et al. (1997).

claimEffective pharmacological treatments for REM sleep behavior disorder include long-acting benzodiazepines, clonazepam, and dopamine agonists.

The Montreal model: an integrative biomedical-psychedelic ... frontiersin.org Frontiers in Psychiatry 6 facts

procedureThe Montreal model clinical team proposes a trial of benzodiazepine and related sedative (BZDR) discontinuation for all patients, which typically entails a slow taper such that final doses occur within several days of the first ketamine treatment, due to evidence that benzodiazepines may dampen or shorten the antidepressant effects of ketamine.

claimLader published a paper in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 2014 discussing methods to reduce benzodiazepine harm.

perspectiveThe Montreal model clinical team recommends reducing the use of benzodiazepines and related sedatives (BZDRs) for patients with treatment-resistant depression, citing evidence of tolerance, potential harms, and questionable long-term efficacy.

measurementApproximately half of the patients referred to the Montreal model service actively receive long-term benzodiazepines and related sedatives (BZDRs), often at high doses.

claimThe RAPID intravenous ketamine study, published by Feeney et al. in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in 2022, investigated the effect of concomitant benzodiazepines on the antidepressant effects of ketamine.

claimAndrashko et al. reported in European Neuropsychopharmacology in 2019 that concurrent benzodiazepines undermine the antidepressant effect of ketamine.

Physiology, Sleep Stages - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH ncbi.nlm.nih.gov National Library of Medicine 5 facts

claimTreatment options for insomnia include non-medication treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and pharmacologic therapies, including benzodiazepines, melatonin receptor agonists, selective histamine H1 antagonists, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and non-selective antihistamines.

claimHolbrook A, Crowther R, Lotter A, and Endeshaw Y conducted a meta-analysis on the role of benzodiazepines in the treatment of insomnia, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in June 2001.

claimBenzodiazepines increase the arousal threshold in stage N3 and REM sleep, which are the two sleep stages known to have the highest arousal thresholds.

claimAlcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates are associated with decreased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

claimBenzodiazepines decrease the overall time spent in stage N3 and REM sleep, making them useful for treating night terrors and sleepwalking, which occur during these sleep phases.

Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis and broader neuroplasticity link.springer.com Springer Dec 19, 2024 1 fact

claimPharmacological treatments for mood disorders like Major Depressive Disorder primarily consist of benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Medicinal plants and human health: a comprehensive review of ... link.springer.com Springer Nov 5, 2025 1 fact

referenceThe use of specific terpenoids for GABAergic modulation offers therapeutic advantages for anxiety disorders by preserving normal GABAergic transmission regulation and reducing the risk of dependence compared to conventional benzodiazepines, according to Bruni et al. (2021).

Long-Term Effects of Chronic Sleep Deprivation empowersleep.com Empower Sleep Mar 15, 2023 1 fact

claimSleep specialists may prescribe medications such as benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, and melatonin receptor agonists to help with sleep, though these can be habit-forming and have potential side effects, requiring supervision by a healthcare professional.