Benzodiazepines, known recreationally as “benzos,” are psychoactive medications doctors prescribe to people living with severe anxiety and insomnia. Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that can alter your perception, mood, and behavior. Even though there are more than a dozen different kind of benzodiazepines with different purposes, the most popular medical uses for benzodiazepines include:

• Insomnia
• Epilepsy
• Severe anxiety
• Panic disorders
• Muscle relaxation

Benzodiazepines fall into 1 of 2 categories. They can be:

• Hypnotic, which are shorter-acting benzodiazepines. Usually, doctors prescribe these drugs to treat sleeping problems such as insomnia. Short-acting benzodiazepines, like Ativan and Xanax, don’t stay in the body long. In fact, sometimes these benzodiazepines are only present in the body for a few hours.
• Anxiolytics are longer-acting benzodiazepines. Typically, medical professionals prescribe these drugs for anxiety-related conditions. Long-lasting benzodiazepines such as Valium and Librium tend to stay in the body for several hours.

Even though benzodiazepines are usually prescribed by doctors, they are also used recreationally. When they are used illegally, benzodiazepines may be referred to as “nerve pills,” “tranks,” “downers,” “V’s,” and “Z bars.”

Some of the commonly abused benzodiazepines include:

• Xanax
• Valium
• Klonopin
• Ativan
• Librium
• Halcion
• Restoril

Addiction happens when people misuse benzodiazepines. This might look like buying benzos illegally, consuming the medication in large amounts, or taking the drug for an extended amount of time. The reasons for misuse can vary from person to person, but addiction to benzodiazepines begins in the brain.

Benzodiazepines affect a group of cells in the brain called inhibitory neurons. These cells make sure that the brain doesn’t produce an excessive amount of dopamine. When individuals over-consume benzodiazepines, these cells stop working as well, which allows the brain to produce more dopamine than it needs. This spike in dopamine makes us feel extremely happy and excited. Dopamine also helps determine our habits and routines. As the brain becomes accustomed to the high levels of dopamine, the brain gets tricked into thinking that it needs dopamine in order to function properly.

When this happens, people abusing benzodiazepines:

• Feel worse when they don’t have the drug in their system
• Take more of the drug to “feel better”
• Tend to feel like they need more of the drug to feel any of its calming effects

Unfortunately, this increases their risk of addiction.

Benzodiazepines also affect the extended amygdala, the part of the brain that experiences stress, anxiety, and discomfort. The more benzodiazepines individuals consume, the more sensitive this part of the brain becomes. This is what causes the withdrawal symptoms that compel people to want to take more benzodiazepines.

When individuals continue to take benzodiazepines, the substance starts to interfere with the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for planning, decision making, self-control, and discipline. As the extended amygdala becomes increasingly sensitive, individuals start to experience even more stress and discomfort when they’re not taking benzodiazepines.

Unfortunately, a weakened prefrontal cortex makes people less likely to control their impulses, opening the door to addiction.