The Science of Benzos: GABA and Glutamate - a podcast by D E Foster

How do benzodiazepines work? What do they do in the body? Why do they initially calm us, but then stop working? And why are they so incredibly hard to stop? When we take a look at the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate, we find a few answers.In today’s episode, we examine two key chemicals in the brain and discover a few insights into why withdrawal is so difficult for so many. We also answer a couple questions about support groups, spotlight two regional organizations, and hear a story from Nova Scotia, Canada.















Welcome to Episode #18Today we focus on the science behind benzos. In particular, the role GABA and glutamate play in the body in response to the drugs. While there are other chemicals and mechanisms affected by these drugs, for this episode we are going to focus on these two keys. We also answer questions about starting support groups and finding one for caregivers, tell a story from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and spotlight two support organizations in the U.K.



But first, let's list the resources used in this episode, and then we'll dive deeper into the content of episode 18.



Episode ResourcesThe following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Benzo Free of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein.



MAILBAGBENZO FREE: Resources / Regional OrganizationsBenzo BuddiesBenzodiazepine Recovery Facebook PageBENZO NEWSINVERSE.COM:"Who's Avoiding Sex? Psychiatrist Cites 3 Reasons"by Shervin AssariBIC: Thank You, Patrick!MENAFN:"Bisnar Chase Secures $11-Million Jury Verdict for Wife and Children of Man Who Died by Suicide While in Rehab"BENZO FREE PODCAST: Episode #17 — Benzo Brain: Cognitive Dysfunction and Memory Loss in WithdrawalMPR:"Fluoroquinolone Use Linked to Increased Peripheral Neuropathy Risk"by Cassandra Pardini, PharmDBIG ISSUE NORTH:"Why don’t we just… stop pretending that pills are the answer to young people’s problems?"by Mike Shooter



SPOTLIGHTBristol&District Tranquilliser Project (BTP)Bristol and District Tranquilliser Project AGM — Prof. Ashton's LectureBattle Against Tranquillisers (BAT)



FEATURE: The Science of Benzos: GABA and GlutamateAshton, 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.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.Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Prescribing Guidelines for Pennsylvania: Safe Prescribing Benzodiazepines for Acute Treatment of Anxiety&Insomnia. Updated May 15, 2017. Accessed April 7, 2018. https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Opioids/PA%20Guidelines%20on%20Benzo%20Prescribing.pdf.Edwards, Elaine,"Bad Side-Effects of Drugs Such as Valium A'Medical Disaster',"Irish Times, October 10, 2016, Accessed October 10, 2016, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/bad-side-effects-of-drugs-such-as-valium-a-medical-disaster-1.2824495.Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. http://www.benzofree.org/book.Goddard AW. “Cortical and subcortical gamma amino acid butyric acid deficits in anxiety and stress disorders: clinical implications.” World J Psychiatry 6(1)(2016):43-53. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v6.i1.43.IMS Health. Vector One: National (VONA) and Total Patient Tracker (TPT) Database (2013). Extracted April 2014. Quoted in CCHR International."Total Number of People Taking Psychiatric Drugs in the United States."Accessed April 3, 2018. https://www.cchrint.org/psychiatric-drugs/people-taking-psychiatric-drugs/.Leigh, Jennifer,"Five (5) Facts About Benzodiazepine Withdrawal (You Need to Know),"Additionblog.org,

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