Medications, Supplements, and Herbs that Can Cause Setbacks
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the neurotransmitter, GABA. This in turn down-regulates your brain’s GABA receptors, since not as many of them are needed in the presence of benzodiazepines. However, as you withdraw from the benzos, your nervous system becomes hyper-excitable, and can react to any compounds that work on the same system (ones that are known as GABAergic) or even some that don’t, even if you tolerated them well in the past.
Here are the medications, herbs, and supplements that could cause you to have a reaction or setback if you are tapering or benzo injured. Please do your own research and go carefully if you decide to try anything new. Keep a journal to note any rev ups in your symptoms.
Remember that what works for one can set another back in their recovery.
GABAergic Compounds:
Absinthe – Contains Thujone, a derivative of wormwood, which aggravates GABA.
Alcohol - Alcohol is an indirect GABA agonist.
Anticonvulsants – Certain anticonvulsants can affect the GABA receptors and may cause issues for those withdrawing from benzos.
Baclofen – Activates GABA receptors.
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics – Bind to GABA-A receptors.
LDN or Low Dose Naltrexone – Naltrexone blocks the inhibition of GABA receptors.
Lidocaine – Inhibits GABA-A receptors.
Magnesium – Binds to GABA receptors.
Oregano Oil – Benzo injured patients have experienced reactions to oregano oil used for both medicinal purposes and in cooking.
Penicillin - Inhibits GABA-gated chloride ion influx.
Phenibut – Found in Kavinace and other supplements and acts as a GABA-mimetic.
Picamilon – A drug formed by a synthetic combination of niacin and GABA.
Progesterone and Estrogen – Makes receptors in brain less receptive to GABA.
Quinine – Malarial drugs inhibit the GABA-A receptor.
Saffron Extract – GABA-A receptor agonist.
Soma – The muscle relaxant Soma (also known as carisoprodol) produces a metabolite with sedative and anti-anxiety properties.
GABAergic Herbs and Supplements
Acorus - Flavonoid binds to benzo receptors.
Asaram – Reports of setbacks in benzo injured.
Ashwagandha – GABA-mimetic.
Chamomile – Flavonoid binds to benzo receptor sites.
Corydalis – Tetrahydropalmatine (THP) from corydalis interacts with benzo binding sites.
Dioscorea (Wild Yam) – May boost progesterone and interfere with GABA receptors.
GABA supplements – Possibly involved in protracted withdrawal.
Ganoderma (Reishi Mushroom) – Benzo receptor agonist.
Kava – Possible positive allosteric modulator of GABA receptor.
L-Theanine – Boosts levels of GABA in brain.
Lemon Balm – Prevents the breakdown of GABA.
Magnolia - Metabolized to tetrahydromagnolol and honokiol, with both GABAergic/cannabimimetic activities.
Passion Flower – Has anti-anxiety effect.
Polygala – Sedative and sleep-inducer.
Poria (Hoelen) – Used in drugs that activate the hippocampal regions of the brain, anti-anxiety.
Pueraria (Kudzu) – Affects both alcohol and benzo withdrawal.
Salvia – A psychedelic.
Schisandra – May cause drowsiness and nervous system depression.
Skullcap – Flavones bind with benzo receptor sites.
Valerian – Contains valeric acid which is similar to GABA as well as GABA itself.
White Peony – Reported to cause setbacks in the benzo injured.
Zizyphus – Hypnotic effects.
Other Compounds that May Cause Setbacks
Decongestants – Both over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays and pills including antihistamines.
Epinephrine – Often given with lidocaine during dental procedures. Instead ask for carbocaine plain – without epinephrine.
Marijuana (all forms including CBD and THC) – Works with the brain’s GABA pathways in the same way as benzos. (Some claim CBD and THC helps them - please be careful if you decide to experiment here).
NSAIDS – Modulate GABA-activated currents.
Opiates – Sedative effects.
Others to use with caution as they may cause a setback are:
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Caffeine
Food Additives, Preservatives and Dyes
Hormones (such as Testosterone)
Mood Stabilizers
MSG
OTC Pain Killers
SNRIs
SSRIs
Stimulants
It’s not always clear why certain compounds can cause a reaction or setback in someone who has been injured by benzodiazepines, but two possible explanations are hypersensitivity of the nervous system and neurotoxicity (the ability of the drugs to damage the nervous system either functionally or structurally).
If you’re benzo injured, do your research and talk to your doctor before taking anything, whether prescribed or over-the-counter. One of the most important things you can do to avoid a setback is to weigh the risks of everything you take.