Kindling

Kindling is a phenomenon that anyone withdrawing from benzodiazepines needs to be aware of. Put simply, kindling is when each withdrawal attempt becomes more difficult and is marked by increasingly severe symptoms.

For example, a person may have already withdrawn from benzos multiple times in the past, without experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms. Yet, when the same person attempts to wean again, their symptoms are far more severe and can even include seizures and possible psychoses.

What causes this phenomenon is not currently well understood, but there are a number of theories. Currently there is no way to know for certain if kindling has occurred but the phenomenon is one to be aware of, if you are on benzos.

why does kindling happen?

Basically, the same changes in the brain that are responsible for tolerance and interdose withdrawal in benzo users are also behind kindling. When benzodiazepines are taken for longer than the two to four week recommended timeframe, the body compensates for their presence, with long-term changes occurring in the GABA receptors.

Because of this compensation, when a benzo patient attempts to wean off of the drugs, their central nervous system enters a hyper-excited state, resulting in what’s known as excitoneurotoxicity – in which this increased stimulation actually results in the damage to or death of nerve cells.

It’s as if the nervous system has a memory of previous withdrawal attempts and has become sensitized to the challenges it can bring. Because of this, each successive attempt at weaning from benzos can carry increased levels of risks.

Although the exact mechanism of kindling is still in question, one theory involves the glutamate system. Animal studies have shown that glutamate receptors in the areas of the brain that control anxiety and even seizure threshold are altered in benzo withdrawal and therefore repeated attempts could compound the damage.

Because of the risk of kindling, it’s recommended that anyone who has previously withdrawn from benzos, never take the drugs again unless it’s for a very short-term or one-time use. It’s also important to note that while the severity of past withdrawals may help predict the severity of future withdrawals, it’s not an ironclad rule.

Kindling is a serious phenomenon. However, for those weaning of benzos, there’s no point in spending time wondering, "Am I kindled?" Since kindling is something that either may or may not happen, it’s a waste of emotional energy to spend time worrying about it – especially since that emotional energy can be better used healing from the damage benzodiazepines can cause.

If you’re attempting to withdraw from benzos, choose a slow, as-tolerated taper, never try to come off too quickly or cold-turkey, and invest your energy in healing rather than worrying about kindling. Once you’ve withdrawn completely, avoid benzo use on a permanent basis so that you will never have to face the issue of kindling again.