The FACTS: What Do We Really Know About Benzos and BIND?

Are benzos effective for treating anxiety? Insomnia? Seizures? If they aren’t safe, what is the evidence? How many BIND symptoms are there? Could these be permanent? And what about COVID? Tune in for the surprising answers.

In today’s episode, we ask some key questions about benzos and provide real answers, with evidence to back them. We also share questions from our international listeners on CBD and probiotics, and we hear a powerful story of one woman’s struggle with her third attempt at withdrawal. This one if chock full of information, and I hope you’ll join us.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/the-facts-what-do-we-really-know-about-benzos-and-bind-bfp107

Video ID: BFP107

Chapters

0:00:00 INTRODUCTION

0:01:16 About the Last Episode

0:02:17 Behind the Scenes Work

0:03:18 Hurricane Ian

0:05:38 MAILBAG

0:05:54 Benzo Belly and Probiotics (Jon)

0:11:48 CBD and Withdrawal (Julie)

0:17:29 BENZO STORY (Jessica)

0:26:48 Response from D

0:31:20 FEATURE: Benzo Facts

0:32:48 Are Benzos Effective?

0:35:23 Are Benzos Safe?

0:43:49 Can You Be Addicted to Benzos?

0:44:46 Is BIND an Official Term?

0:47:21 How Many BIND Symptoms Are There?

0:52:05 Is BIND Permanent?

0:56:42 Are Z-drugs the Same as Benzos?

0:57:22 Do Benzos Have an Effect on COVID?

1:00:58 MOMENT OF PEACE

Episode Resources

The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein.

SITE RESOURCES

— Benzodiazepine Action Work Group (BAWG) — https://benzoaction.org

— Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) — https://benzoinfo.com

— The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices — https://benzoreform.org

— Blazing Benzos Facebook Group — https://m.facebook.com/groups/1205287192817668/

MAILBAG

• Grinspoon, Peter. Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don’t. Harvard Health Publishing. September 24, 2021. Accessed September 27, 2022. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476.

FEATURE

• Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual.
• Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: The Still Unfinished Story. (Speech at Beat the Benzos Launch Conference, Croyden, London, England). https://www.benzo.org.uk/ashspeech.htm.
• Bachhuber, Marcus A., Sean Hennessy, Chinazo O. Cunningham and Joanna L. Starrels. “Increasing Benzodiazepine Prescriptions and Overdose Mortality in the United States, 1996-2013.” American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) (April 2016). Accessed April 7, 2018. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2016.303061.
• Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC). Withdrawal & Post Withdrawal Symptoms. Accessed September 29, 2022. https://www.benzoinfo.com/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-post-withdrawal-symptoms/.
• Breilmann J, Girlanda F, Guaiana G, Barbui C, Cipriani A, Castellazzi M, Bighelli I, Davies SJC, Furukawa TA, Koesters M. Benzodiazepines versus placebo for panic disorder in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD010677. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010677.pub2. Accessed 27 September 2022. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010677.pub2/full.
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Prescribing Guidelines for Pennsylvania: Safe Prescribing Benzodiazepines for Acute Treatment of Anxiety & Insomnia. Updated May 15, 2017. Accessed April 7, 2018. http://www.health.pa.gov/My%20Health/Diseases%20and%20Conditions/M-P/opioids/Documents/PA%20Guidelines%20on%20Benzo%20Prescribing.pdf.
• Easing Anxiety. BIND Symptoms. https://easinganxiety.com/symptoms.
• Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, CO: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book.
• Frances, Allen. Yes, Benzos Are Bad for You. Pro Talk: A Rehabs.com Community. June 10, 2016. Accessed October 13, 2016. https://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/yes-benzos-are-bad-for-you/.
• Guina J, Merrill B. Benzodiazepines I: Upping the Care on Downers: The Evidence of Risks, Benefits and Alternatives. J Clin Med. 2018 Jan 30;7(2):17. doi: 10.3390/jcm7020017. PMID: 29385731; PMCID: PMC5852433. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852433/.
• Kripke, D. F., R.D. Langer and L.E. Kline. Hypnotics’ Association with Mortality or Cancer: A Matched Cohort Study. BMJ Open 2(e000850)(2012). Accessed June 21, 2017. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-000850.
• Lakhani, Nina, Drugs Linked to Brain Damage 30 Years Ago, Independent, November 7, 2010, accessed March 4, 2017, https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/drugs-linked-to-brain-damage-30-years-ago-2127504.html.
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH). City Health Information: Judicious Prescribing of Benzodiazepines. 35(2)(2016). https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/990dad_167113513c9445f8bc77a77370ce649f.pdf.
• Park, H.Y., Kwon, J., An, S.K. et al. A nationwide cohort study of the association of benzodiazepines with SARS-CoV-2 infection and clinical outcomes. Sci Rep 12, 15947 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20335-z.
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Office of Diversion Control; Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section: Benzodiazepines (January 2013). Accessed March 6, 2017. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/benzo.pdf.
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration. FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. September 23, 2020. Accessed September 27, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class.

The Podcast

The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata).

WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com

MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx

DISCLAIMER

All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

CREDITS

Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio

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