Drug Content

CNS depressants (anti-anxiety medications and sleep aids) act on the Central Nervous System by slowing down brain function.  By doing this, these types of medications can treat anxiety, muscle tension, and insomnia to name a few, but if used in higher doses, CNS depressants may successfully be used as general anesthetics.  Tranquilizers and sedatives are two examples of CNS depressants.  Based on their pharmacology and chemistry- CNS depressants can be divided into two groups:

Barbiturates- were first introduced for medical use in the early 1900s, and there have been more than 2,500 barbiturates synthesized.  Barbiturates produce a broad spectrum of central nervous system depression- from mild depression to coma.  In short, barbiturates are sedatives that slow down the mind and body.  The four different classes of barbiturates are ultrashort, short, intermediate, and long-acting.
Benzodiazepines- are in a class of psychoactive drugs, and are the more popular drug for treating anxiety, muscle spasms, and inducing sleep.  Benzodiazepines act as hypnotics in high doses, anxiolytics in moderate doses, and sedatives in low doses.  Three of the more popular benzodiazepines on the market include Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam).  Estazolam (ProSom) is usually prescribed for short-term treatment of sleep disorders- this is due to its sedating effects.

Most CNS Depressants act on the brain similarly and affect the neurotransmitter ‘gamma-aminobutyric acid’ (GABA).  Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are used to relay, amplify and modulate signals between a neuron and another cell.  GABA however, works by decreasing brain activity.  It is the CNS depressant’s job to increase GABA activity that produces a drowsy and/or calming effect.  These effects can be completely beneficial to those who require these effects for whatever ailments they are suffering from (anxiety problems, sleep disorders, etc), but for those who don’t need these medications for the above symptoms, barbiturates and benzodiazepines should not be taken- and people who do need them should only take them as prescribed.

CNS depressants can cause dangerous side effects if combined with other medications/substances that produce similar effects such as prescription pain medications, certain OTC cold/allergy medications, and alcohol.  These medications/substances slow down breathing and decrease one’s heartbeat and respiration, so combining them can be potentially fatal.

If one suddenly decides to discontinue high doses of CNS depressants, it can lead to withdrawal- which can be severely uncomfortable.  Since CNS depressants slow down the brain, discontinuing them can cause the brain to search for the substance, and if it can’t find it than seizures can occur, which can be potentially fatal.  One who is looking to end their use of a CNS depressant, or has suddenly stopped and is going through withdrawal, should speak to a doctor- who can taper one off of the substance.

In addition to medical care, one can look into counseling in an in-patient or out-patient environment that can help people overcome their addiction to CNS depressants.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an example of in-patient/out-patient therapy, and has been successfully used to help people take care of their abuse of benzodiazepines.  This type of therapy helps a patient focus on their thinking, expectations, and behaviors while increasing their skills of handling the stress of life off of medication(s).

CNS depressants can be used effectively to treat people’s anxiety and sleep disorders, but it’s the ones who become out of control that ruin it for the people that actually need the medications.  It’s not as easy as it used to be to get a doctor to prescribe these medications, but with the proper symptoms that are shown, a doctor will know who is lying and who is fabricating.

Zolpidem- Half Life: 2-2.6 hours; Schedule IV Drug

Ambien (Zolpidem) is a prescription medication used for short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as certain brain disorders.  Zolpidem is a sedative, and also a hypnotic.  It affects certain chemicals in one’s brain that may become unbalanced, which causes the insomnia.  Zolpidem is not a benzodiazepine, but it is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic that enhances gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain that are located on the GABA receptors.  Zolpidem works really quickly, so it’s important to take it right before you are about to go to bed.

Zolpidem shouldn’t be taken for more than six weeks, as like all medications, there is some risk for dependency–but the main reason being that it won’t work anymore at the same dosage, which means the dosage would have to be adjusted.  Zolpidem has been used long-term in some cases, but the average treatment time period is 1-2 weeks.

Zolpidem is also, in rare cases, used to treat RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome), and might be prescribed to stimulant users to “come down” or taper down after the usage of certain stimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine, or MDMA (ecstasy).

Side effects of Ambien vary in intensity from person to person, so if there are any severe reactions to Zolpidem, seek medical help immediately.  Side effects are as followed:

Daytime drowsiness; dizziness; weakness; feeling ”drugged” or lightheaded; euphoria; altered thought patterns; lack of coordination; amnesia; abnormal dreams; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; headache; muscle pain; blurred vision; More Severe Side Effects; Worsening sleep problems; depression; suicidal thoughts; unusual risk-taking behavior; no fear of danger; decreased inhibitions; aggressive feeling or agitated; hallucinations; confusion; loss of personality

As stated above–if these severe side effects persist, be sure to contact your doctor immediately, as another underlying cause may be causing this to happen.

While Zolpidem is non-narcotic, there is still the potential for abuse.  If one continues taking the drug after it is no longer prescribed to them by their doctor, they can develop a tolerance to the drug.  With long-term usage, one would have to increase the dosage to receive the same effects, which would make coming off of Zolpidem harder than normal.  Zolpidem can cause perceptual changes, visual distortions, light-based hallucinations, and euphoria, which is why people abuse the drug.

Zolpidem is supposed to be used to fall asleep, but if one “fights” the urge to go to sleep, they will start to feel the effects of the drug, which include vivid visuals and a relaxing body high, rather than calmly falling asleep.  Exceeding 10 mgs of Zolpidem a day is not recommended.  If Zolpidem is used past the doctor’s orders, or increases the dosage so one can either receive the same effects that they were receiving when they first took the drug, or to increase the drugs effect, they can suffer through withdrawal.  The following below can be expected, but is not limited to:

Major confusion; strange behavior; agitation; loss of personal identity; severe hallucinations; worsening of depression; suicidal thoughts; insomnia; major anxiety; aggressive behavior

If you are taking Zolpidem for extended periods of time, DO NOT stop taking the medication abruptly–but contact your doctor first.  It can be tough to figure out if one is suffering through withdrawal or not.

Zolpidem is a great short-term drug, but it must be used properly.  Zolpidem is used over many other competing drugs.  Other prescription sleep aids have the tendency to cause a bitter (metallic) taste in a person’s mouth, which is why more doctors prescribe Zolpidem first.  Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for the distribution of Zolpidem or Ambiem.