Benzo Brain: Cognitive Dysfunction and Memory Loss in Withdrawal

Do you know much about the cognitive effects of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs? Perhaps you should. Memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and intrusive memories are all possible symptoms of benzo use and withdrawal.

In today’s episode, we talk about the damage benzodiazepines and Z-drugs can inflict on our mental capacity. We also hear a benzo story from England, answer a question about GABA receptors, and learn what it really feels like to heal. BTW, it feels good.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/benzo-brain-cognitive-dysfunction-and-memory-loss-in-withdrawal-bfp017

Video ID: BFP017

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

11:42 Mailbag

13:39 Benzo News

15:50 Benzo Story

20:33 FEATURE: Benzo Brain

40:54 Moment of Peace

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.

BENZO NEWS

• TECH INSIDER: “What Happens When You Take Xanax?” (VIDEO)
• BIC: “Why Prescribed Benzo Patients Shouldn’t Go to Detox or Rehab,” by Nicole Lamberson
• BENZO FREE PODCAST – Episode #16: “The Assault on Our Senses: Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms of the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Mouth”
• MPR: “FDA: Boxed Warning, Contraindication Added to Several Insomnia Medications,” by Diana Ernst
• HEALTH EUROPA: “Newly uncovered gene mutation has the ability to reduce fear and anxiety”
• BENZO FREE: “The Missing Message: New FDA Boxed Warning for Z-drugs,” by D E Foster

FEATURE: Benzo Brain

• 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.
• Barker, M.J., K.M. Greenwood, M. Jackson, S.F. Crowe. “Cognitive Effects of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use: A Meta-Analysis.” CNS Drugs 18(1)(2004):37-48. Accessed March 6, 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14731058.
• Doyle, Chase, “Benzodiazepine Exposure Can Predict Delirium in Critically Ill Children,” Anesthesiology News, October 13, 2016, accessed October 13, 2016, http://www.anesthesiologynews.com/Clinical-Anesthesiology/Article/10-16/Benzodiazepine-Exposure-Can-Predict-Delirium-in-Critically-Ill-Children/38055.
• Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book.
• Guina, Jeffrey, and Brian Merrill. “Benzodiazepines I: Upping the Care on Downers: The Evidence of Risks, Benefits and Alternatives.” Journal of Clinical Medicine 7(2)(February 2018):17. Accessed July 12, 2018. doi: 10.3390/jcm7020017.
• Gorenstein, C., M. A. Bernik and S. Pompéia. “Differential Acute Psychomotor and Cognitive Effects of Diazepam on Long-Term Benzodiazepine Users.” International Clinical Psychopharmacology 9(3)(1994):145-53. Accessed March 6, 2017. doi:10.1097/00004850-199409000-00002.
• Hunt, Liz and Glenn Frankel, “Britain Takes Halcion Sleeping Pills off the Market,” Washington Post, October 3, 1991, accessed April 8, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/03/britain-takes-halcion-sleeping-pills-off-the-market/21d83dc2-2260-440d-96d1-7da13ceb0198/?utm_term=.e008daa4566c.
• Tata, P.R., J. Rollings, M. Collins, A. Pickering and R. R. Jacobson. “Lack of Cognitive Recovery Following Withdrawal from Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use.” Psychological Medicine 24(1)(February 1994):203-13. Accessed April 15, 2018. doi:10.1017/S0033291700026969.
• U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA/DoD). PTSD: National Center for PTSD: Use of Benzodiazepines for PTSD in Veterans Affairs. Accessed June 21, 2017.
• https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/benzos_va.asp.

Introduction

In today’s intro, I was feeling good — and I shared that with the listeners. My healing has been progressing and I’m now, ever so slowly, getting my life back. Actually, I’m getting a better life than I had. And I wanted to share that with the listeners as a reminder that healing does take place and there are good things on the other side.

I also talked about limited the length of the podcast episodes down to 45 minutes or so. I felt that they were getting too long and I explained that this might include making some sections periodic.

Mailbag

This is where we share questions and comments which were discussed:

• QUESTION: Do Your GABA Receptors Heal During Titration?
• This comment was from Kathy in Colorado, USA. She wanted to know if her GABA receptors were healing during titration (or taper). I told her they probably were and that when you start reducing the amount of drug in your body, homeostasis kicks in again and starts the rebalancing effect— but this process can take a very long time.

Benzo Story

Today’s story was from a Nancy in England.

Feature

Today’s featured topic: Benzo Brain: Cognitive Dysfunction and Memory Loss in Withdrawal.

This was the fifth installment in our 14-part series on benzo withdrawal symptoms. It focused on cognitive effects of benzo withdrawal which included cognitive dysfunction, memory loss, and intrusive memories. I discussed each symptom at length and included several references which can be seen in our links above

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

— https://www.storyblocks.com

Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross

PRODUCTION

Easing Anxiety is produced by…

Denim Mountain Press

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