Alprazolam: Difference between revisions

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==Subjective effects==
==Subjective effects==
The general head space of alprazolam is described by many as one of intense sedation, relaxation, anxiety suppression and decreased inhibition.
{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}}                                                                         
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{{effects/base
{{effects/base
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|{{effects/physical|
|{{effects/physical|


*'''[[Effect::Sedation]]''' -  Alprazolam 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 have not slept for days, forcing them to sit down and generally feel as if they are constantly on the verge of passing out. This sleep deprivation increases proportionally to dosage and eventually becomes powerful enough to force a person into a deep state of unconsciousness.
*'''[[Effect::Sedation]]'''{{citation needed}} -  Alprazolam 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::Appetite enhancement]]''' - This effect is not particularly prominent, but is reported to occur in some people. It can have a synergistic effect when combined with [[cannabis]].
*'''[[Effect::Dizziness]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Muscle relaxation]]''' - In comparison to [[diazepam]] (Valium), alprazolam presents lesser amounts of muscle relaxation.
*'''[[Effect::Motor control loss]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Respiratory depression]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Seizure suppression]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Perception of bodily heaviness]]''' -  Alprazolam 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::Perception of bodily heaviness]]''' -  Alprazolam 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 alprazolam 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}} - Alprazolam is reported to produce moderate muscle relaxation greater than that of [[alcohol]] but weaker than [[diazepam]] (''Valium'').
*'''[[Effect::Motor control loss]]'''{{citation needed}} - Alprazolam 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}}
*'''[[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}} - Alprazolam has seizure suppressing properties as a result of its [[GABA|GABA-mediated]] inhibitory effects on the nervous system. 


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|{{effects/cognitive|
|{{effects/cognitive|


The cognitive effects of alprazolam can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of alprazolam is described by many as one of intense sedation, relaxation, anxiety suppression and decreased inhibition. It contains a large number of typical [[Psychoactive class::depressant]] cognitive effects.
The most prominent of these cognitive effects generally include:
*'''[[Effect::Analysis suppression]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Analysis suppression]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Compulsive redosing]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Compulsive redosing]]''' - Alprazolam produces [[disinhibition]] and [[euphoria]] 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]]''' - At heavy doses, alprazolam can cause confusion. This effect is a result of the drug suppressing basic cognitive functions at heavy doses, such as comprehension, memory, and reasoning skills.
*'''[[Effect::Confusion]]''' - Alprazolam 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::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::Disinhibition]]''' - Alprazolam has strong disinhibiting effects greater than that of other benzodiazepines like [[valium]] as well as [[alcohol]], but lower than that of [[GHB]].
*'''[[Effect::Dream potentiation]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Dream suppression]]''' - Benzodiazepines like alprazolam 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 this compound primarily suppresses anxiety, it also dulls other emotions in a manner which is distinct but less intensive than that of [[antipsychotic]]s.
*'''[[Effect::Emotion suppression]]''' - Although alprazolam 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::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]]''' - Alprazolam is known to cause slurred speech and difficulty communicating words in a clear fashion.
*'''[[Effect::Language suppression]]''' - Alprazolam is known to cause slurred speech and difficulty communicating words in a clear fashion.
*'''[[Effect::Memory suppression]]''' - Alprazolam primarily suppresses short-term memory, resulting in forgetfulness, and/or disorganized behaviors.
*'''[[Effect::Memory suppression]]''' - Alprazolam primarily suppresses short-term memory, resulting in forgetfulness, and/or disorganized behaviors.
**'''[[Effect::Amnesia]]'''
**'''[[Effect::Amnesia]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Motivation suppression]]''' - Due to alprazolam's heavy sedation and lethargy, doing any type of activity that requires moving, or high amounts of effort may be difficult to do on this compound, especially at higher doses.
*'''[[Effect::Motivation suppression]]''' - Due to alprazolam'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::Sleepiness]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''
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{{effects/aftereffects|
{{effects/aftereffects|


*'''[[Effect::Anxiety|Rebound 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.
*'''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> or '''[[Effect::Dream suppression]]'''
*'''[[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>
*'''[[Effect::Sleepiness|Residual 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.  
*'''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.  
*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Thought deceleration]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Thought disorganization]]'''  
*'''[[Effect::Thought disorganization]]'''