Xanax; the 9th best selling drug in the US as well as the cause of 60,000 hospital admissions each year. I chose to research and talk about the effects of Xanax, also known as Alprazolam. It’s a type of anti-anxiety and sedative drug belonging to the group benzodiazepines. Xanax helps anxiety disorders, panic disorders and anxiety induced by depression. The first benzodiazepine, Librium, was created in 1956 by Leo Sternbach as an alternative to tranquilizing drugs that offered a safer and less addictive substitute. Subsequently, Dr. David Sheeha part of the Upjohn company, introduced to the US market a different form of benzodiazepine, Xanax, in 1981. It was recognized and very popular due to its quick effect and rapid symptom relief,
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Xanax binds to GABA-a receptor which creates a change in the GABA-a receptor which allows for the binding of GABA. The change in the receptor causes the GABA-a receptor chloride channel to open which hyperpolarizes due to the influx of negative ions and therefore activates GABA’S inhibitory effect. This inhibitory effect by GABA and with the help of Xanax causes the calming effect the body experiences which helps with the reduction of anxiety. Although Xanax has been shown to be very effective, it does carry some side effects such as drowsiness, increased saliva production, dizziness and reduced libido. GABA is presumed to play a role in one’s generation of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, having an effect on sleep and reproductive functions. Because Xanax amplifies GABA’s effect on the body, the stimulation of GABA can cause drowsiness. Some alternatives to Xanax include Valium and other natural alternatives. Valium is very similar to Xanax and helps to treat anxiety disorders, but Xanax also treats panic disorders. Valium has a faster effect and stays active for a longer period to time compared to Xanax. Valium is used to treat other symptoms such as skeletal muscle spasm, seizure disorders, or chronic sleep disorders. Other alternatives include natural anti-anxiety drugs such as Kava. Kava works like Xanax because it stimulates GABA creating a calming
Xanax binds to GABA-a receptor which creates a change in the GABA-a receptor which allows for the binding of GABA. The change in the receptor causes the GABA-a receptor chloride channel to open which hyperpolarizes due to the influx of negative ions and therefore activates GABA’S inhibitory effect. This inhibitory effect by GABA and with the help of Xanax causes the calming effect the body experiences which helps with the reduction of anxiety. Although Xanax has been shown to be very effective, it does carry some side effects such as drowsiness, increased saliva production, dizziness and reduced libido. GABA is presumed to play a role in one’s generation of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, having an effect on sleep and reproductive functions. Because Xanax amplifies GABA’s effect on the body, the stimulation of GABA can cause drowsiness. Some alternatives to Xanax include Valium and other natural alternatives. Valium is very similar to Xanax and helps to treat anxiety disorders, but Xanax also treats panic disorders. Valium has a faster effect and stays active for a longer period to time compared to Xanax. Valium is used to treat other symptoms such as skeletal muscle spasm, seizure disorders, or chronic sleep disorders. Other alternatives include natural anti-anxiety drugs such as Kava. Kava works like Xanax because it stimulates GABA creating a calming