Talk:Bromazolam: Difference between revisions

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''Bromazolam''' (also known as '''Brom''', '''Bromaz''', or '''XLI-268''') is a [[psychoactive class::depressant]] substance of the [[Chemical class::benzodiazepine]] class - more specifically it is a triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD). Its characteristic effects include [[anxiety suppression]], [[sedation]], [[disinhibition]], and [[muscle relaxation]]. It is currently unscheduled in most parts of the world, and hence it is commonly sold as a research chemical. It is most commonly seen as a slightly more sedating and longer-lasting version of alprazolam

Like other [[benzodiazepines]], bromazolam binds to specific sites on the [[gamma-amino-butyric acid|GABA_A]] receptor.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303399/</ref> Since it is not available by prescription and is sold online on clearnet and darknet vendors - it is commonly used to self-medicate or for recreational purposes.

The [[Benzodiazepine#Discontinuation|sudden discontinuation of benzodiazepines]] can be potentially dangerous or life-threatening for individuals using regularly for extended periods of time, sometimes resulting in seizures or death.<ref>A fatal case of benzodiazepine withdrawal. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19465812</ref> It is highly recommended to [[taper]] one's dose by gradually lowering the amount taken each day for a prolonged period of time instead of stopping abruptly.<ref>Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain - Appendix B-6: Benzodiazepine Tapering | http://nationalpaincentre.mcmaster.ca/opioid/cgop_b_app_b06.html</ref>

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Bromazolam was first synthesized in 1976, but was never marketed.[1]

It is the bromo instead of chloro analogue of alprazolam and its chemical formula is C17H13BrN4.

Bromazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) which was first synthesized in 1976, but was never marketed.[1] It has subsequently been sold as a designer drug, first being definitively identified by the EMCDDA in Sweden in 2016.[2] It is the bromo instead of chloro analogue of alprazolam and has similar sedative and anxiolytic effects to it and other benzodiazepines.[3][4] Bromazolam is a non subtype selective agonist at the benzodiazepine (BZD) site of [[gamma-amino-butyric acid|GABA_A]] receptors, with a binding affinity of 2.81nM at the α1 subtype, 0.69nM at α2 and 0.62nM at α5.[5] Benzodiazepines produce a variety of effects by binding to the benzodiazepine receptor site and magnifying the efficiency and effects of the neurotransmitter [[GABA|gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)]] by acting on its [[receptors]].<ref>Benzodiazepine interactions with GABA receptors (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6147796</ref> Bromazolam is a positive allosteric modulator of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor. As this site is the most prolific inhibitory receptor set within the brain, its modulation results in the [[sedating]] (or [[anxiety suppression|calming effects]]) of alprazolam on the nervous system. The [[anticonvulsant]] properties of benzodiazepines may be, in part or entirely, due to binding to voltage-dependent sodium channels rather than benzodiazepine receptors.<ref>Benzodiazepines, but not beta carbolines, limit high frequency repetitive firing of action potentials of spinal cord neurons in cell culture. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2450203</ref>  

The GABA_A receptor is made up of 5 subunits out of a possible 19, and GABA_A receptors made up of different combinations of subunits have different properties, different locations within the brain, and, importantly, different activities with regard to benzodiazepines. Bromazolam and other triazolobenzodiazepines such as triazolam that have a triazole ring fused to their diazepine ring appear to have antidepressant properties.<ref>Barbee JG (October 1993). "Memory, benzodiazepines, and anxiety: integration of theoretical and clinical perspectives". ''The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry''. 54 Suppl (Suppl): 86–97, discussion 98–101. <nowiki>PMID 8262893</nowiki>.</ref> This is perhaps due to the similarities shared with tricyclic antidepressants, as they have two benzene rings fused to a diazepine ring.

==Subjective effects==

{{EffectStub}}Bromazolam's headspace is described by some as one of intense sedation, relaxation, anxiety suppression and decreased inhibition. {{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}}

Bromazolam's physical effects are mainly those of intense sedation, sleepiness, and muscle relaxation.

 

You may select physical effects to add below [[Subjective effect index#Physical effects|here]].

*'''[[Effect::Sedation]]'''{{citation needed}} -  Bromazolam is capable of producing strong sedation and can lead to a lethargic state. At higher levels, this causes users to suddenly feel as if they are extremely sleep deprived and need to fight to stay awake. This sleep deprivation increases proportionally to dosage and eventually becomes powerful enough to force the user into a deep state of unconsciousness.

*'''[[Effect::Perception of bodily heaviness]]''' -  Bromazolam is reported to cause feelings of heaviness in the body. This effect can range from motor impairment and difficulty moving at lower doses to complete lethargy or inability to stand up or move at high doses.

*'''[[Effect::Appetite enhancement]]'''{{citation needed}} - Some users report that bromazolam is capable of enhancing appetite in a manner similar to [[alcohol]] and that it can have a synergistic effect with [[cannabis]].

*'''[[Effect::Muscle relaxation]]'''{{citation needed}} - Bromazolam is reported to produce moderate muscle relaxation greater than that of [[alcohol]].

*'''[[Effect::Motor control loss]]'''{{citation needed}} - Bromazolam impairs motor control in a dose-dependent manner similar to [[alcohol]]. Higher doses significantly increase the risk of physical injury via falling over or stumbling into objects. This risk is especially prominent around stairs and slopes.

*'''[[Effect::Respiratory depression]]'''{{citation needed}} - This can be particularly dangerous when combined with other depressants.

*'''[[Effect::Dizziness]]'''{{citation needed}} - Dizziness is sometimes present with higher doses, although generally less than the dizzying effects of alcohol (colloquially known as "the spins").

*'''[[Effect::Seizure suppression]]'''{{citation needed}} - Bromazolam may have seizure suppressing properties as a result of its [[GABA|GABA-mediated]] inhibitory effects on the nervous system.

Bromazolam mainly suppresses visual acuity and can cause blurred vision in high doses

 

You may select visual effects to add below [[Subjective effect index#Visual effects|here]].

*'''[[Effect::Blurred Vision]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Visual acuity suppression]]''' - Like many [[depressants]], bromazolam is known to cause blurred or otherwise suppressed visual acuity.

Bromazolam's headspace is described by some as one of intense sedation, relaxation, anxiety suppression and decreased inhibition.

 

You may select from a list of cognitive effects to add below [[Subjective effect index#Cognitive effects|here]].

*'''[[Effect::Analysis suppression]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]'''{{citation needed}}

*'''[[Effect::Compulsive redosing]]''' - Bromazolam produces [[disinhibition]] which, along with its memory suppressing effects, can easily lead the user to black out and redose continually until their supply runs out or they lose consciousness. This effect can place the user at risk of fatal overdose from respiratory depression if they are consuming it with [[alcohol]] or other [[depressants]].

*'''[[Effect::Confusion]]''' - Bromazolam can cause confusion at heavy doses. This effect is a result of the drug suppressing basic cognitive functions such as comprehension, memory, and reasoning skills.

*'''[[Effect::Delusions|Delusions of sobriety]]''' - This is the false belief that one is perfectly sober despite obvious evidence to the contrary such as severe cognitive impairment and an inability to fully communicate with others. It most commonly occurs at heavy dosages.

*'''[[Effect::Disinhibition]]

*'''[[Effect::Dream suppression]]'''{{citation needed}} - Benzodiazepines like bromazolam generally inhibit REM sleep and suppress the experience of dreaming. Sleep on benzodiazepines is generally reported to be deep and refreshing, although it should be noted that the actual sleep quality is lower which is why the use of benzodiazepines as long-term sleep aids is not advised.

*'''[[Effect::Emotion suppression]]''' - Although bromazolam primarily suppresses anxiety, it also dulls other emotions in a manner which is distinct but less intensive than that of [[antipsychotics]].

*'''[[Effect::Euphoria]]''' - A distinct portion of users report feeling a marked sense of emotional well-being and comfort while under the influence of this substance. Because this does not occur regularly or consistently for most users, it is speculated that this effect only manifests among those who have unusually high baseline levels of anxiety.

*'''[[Effect::Language suppression]]''' - Bromazolam is capable of causing slurred speech and difficulty communicating words in a clear fashion.

*'''[[Effect::Memory suppression]]'''{{citation needed}} - Bromazolam primarily suppresses short-term memory, resulting in forgetfulness, and/or disorganized behaviors.

**'''[[Effect::Amnesia]]''' - Higher doses of bromazolam can easily lead to complete short-term amnesia (black out) similar to that of high doses of alcohol.

*'''[[Effect::Motivation suppression]]''' - Due to bromazolam's heavy sedation and lethargy, doing any type of activity that requires moving, or high amounts of effort may be difficult to do, especially at higher doses.

*'''[[Effect::Sleepiness]]'''

*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''

*'''Rebound [[Effect::anxiety]]''' - Rebound anxiety is a commonly observed effect with [[anxiety suppression|anxiety relieving]] substances like [[benzodiazepines]]. It typically corresponds to the total duration spent under the substance's influence along with the total amount consumed in a given period, an effect which can easily lend itself to cycles of dependence and addiction.

*'''[[Effect::Dream potentiation]]'''<ref>Goyal, Sarita. "Drugs and Dreams." Indian Journal of Clinical Practice (n.d.): n. pag. Web.  | http://medind.nic.in/iaa/t13/i3/iaat13i3p624.pdf</ref>

*'''Residual [[Effect::sleepiness]]''' - While benzodiazepines can be used as an effective [[hypnotic|sleep-inducing]] aid, their effects may persist into the morning afterward, which may lead users to feeling "groggy" or "dull" for up to a few hours.  

===Experience reports===

There are currently {{#ask:[[Category:SUBSTANCE]][[Category:Experience]] | format=count}} experience reports which describe the effects of this substance in our [[experience index]].

{{#ask: [[Category:SUBSTANCE]][[Category:Experience]]|format=ul|Columns=1}}

Additional experience reports can be found here:

*[https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Bromazolam_Retrospective_I_Summary.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Bromazolam]

==Legal status==

{{LegalStub}}Bromazolam is unscheduled in most of the world.

==See also==

==External links==

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUBSTANCE SUBSTANCE (Wikipedia)]

*SUBSTANCE (Erowid Vault)

*SUBSTANCE ([''PiHKAL'' or ''TiHKAL''] / Isomer Design)

*APA formatted reference

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