Valium, the go-to drug for stress relief, has been in the news lately. In fact, it’s been in the news a lot.
There have been reports of its use as a date rape drug, and warnings that it could be addictive. But what is Valium? And how does it work?
Valium (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and insomnia. It’s also prescribed for muscle spasms and alcohol withdrawal. The drug is available in generic form, but it’s most commonly known by its brand name: Valium.
When you take Valium, your brain is flooded with neurotransmitters—chemicals that send signals between different parts of your brain and body. These neurotransmitters can calm you down or give you energy; they can also affect how quickly or slowly your heart beats, which helps lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety symptoms like rapid heartbeat and sweating.
Valium is the go-to drug for stress relief because it works fast and effectively—and at its core, that’s what we all want when we’re stressed out: relief. The problem is that Valium has some side effects that make it less than ideal for long-term use, including drowsiness and dizziness. For this reason, many people are turning to other options to treat their stress.
One of these options is Xanax, which works similarly to Valium but with fewer side effects and a lower potential for addiction. Both drugs are classified as benzodiazepines (benzos), which means they work by targeting certain brain receptors that respond well to calming medications. They also both come with black box warnings due to their potential risk for addiction and abuse.
The Ultimate Guide to Valium
When you’ve had a long day, it’s hard to come up with the energy to get through another one. You’re tired, your head hurts, and all you want to do is crawl into bed and never come out again. But then there are the bills. And the chores. And the kids who need their homework finished before tomorrow morning!
And then there’s the issue of your anxiety.
It’s not always easy to talk about—it’s embarrassing and scary, but it can also be debilitating. And for some people, taking anti-anxiety medication is part of their treatment plan for managing their anxiety disorders. But how do you know which medication is right for you? What should you look for when you’re researching this kind of medicine? How much does it cost? How will it affect my sleep schedule?
We’ve got answers! Here’s everything you need to know about Valium (diazepam).
How does Valium work?
Valium works by activating GABA receptors in your brain, which helps reduce anxiety and slow down nerve transmissions. The effect on your nervous system makes you feel relaxed and calm—which is what makes it effective in treating anxiety disorders or muscle spasms. Valium also increases dopamine levels in your brain, which can make you feel euphoric when taken at higher doses (though this effect is not considered desirable).
Side Effects of Valium
Valium may cause dizziness, drowsiness and lightheadedness when taken with alcohol or other drugs that cause sleepiness or sedation (such as sleeping pills). These effects may be worse if you take it with a high-fat meal or if you exercise too soon after taking this medication. You should avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects you because it could make you sleepy or dizzy.
What to Expect After You Take Valium for the First Time
If you’ve never taken Valium before, it’s important to know what to expect. The drug can have several effects on your body that may be uncomfortable or even scary if you’re not prepared for them. Here are some things to watch out for:
Many people take Valium for the first time when they’re experiencing some sort of extreme physical or emotional stressor. That’s because Valium is known to help relieve symptoms of stress like tension headaches and nausea—two problems that are often associated with high-stress situations.
Valium is also very effective at easing anxiety symptoms such as muscle tension, irritability, and restlessness. It’s not uncommon for people who have never taken Valium before to experience these effects after taking just one dose of this drug! However, if you don’t experience any noticeable positive changes within 24 hours after taking your first dose, it’s probably safe to assume that you won’t benefit from taking more Valium at this time either (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).
Does Valium Make You Permanently Lazy?
In short: no. That’s the short answer to a question that many people have asked over the years, and it’s not surprising that they would ask it. After all, people who take Valium can experience drowsiness, which certainly seems like an indication that they might be permanently lazy. And when you’re trying to get back into the swing of things after a vacation or break from work, it can seem like an awful lot of work just getting up and going about your day.
But here’s what you should know: there is no evidence that taking Valium for a long period of time will actually make you permanently lazy. In fact, if anything, taking Valium for a long time may make it easier for you to get out of bed in the morning and get going because it reduces anxiety and allows you to sleep more soundly through the night.
The bottom line is this: if you’re struggling with insomnia or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), talk to your doctor before taking any medication—including Valium—to help manage those symptoms. If your doctor recommends Valium as part of an overall treatment plan for CFS or other sleep disorders, don’t worry.
Taking a Valium While Pregnant Safe?
Taking a Valium while pregnant is not recommended, but if it must be done, here are some things to keep in mind:
The first thing to do is to talk with your doctor about the risks. Many doctors will advise against taking any medication during pregnancy, but there are certain situations that can warrant it. If you have an anxiety disorder and need medication to keep yourself from having panic attacks or other symptoms of anxiety, then it may be necessary for you to take something like Valium while pregnant.
If your doctor does recommend that you take a drug like Valium while pregnant, then they will likely prescribe a lower dose than they would typically prescribe for someone who wasn’t pregnant. This is because a higher dose could cause fetal abnormalities or even miscarriage.
How Much Is Too Much?
The amount of Valium that you can safely take while pregnant depends on the severity of your symptoms. If your doctor prescribes you more than 20 mg per day, they’re probably concerned about other underlying issues that require treatment.
But even if they don’t prescribe you more than 20 mg per day, they may still recommend an occasional dose when necessary (such as before bed). If you find yourself needing more than this amount on occasion, talk to your doctor about whether or not it’s necessary. They may want to change your prescription or try another drug entirely.