Top Safe Alternatives To Benzodiazepines for Anxiety Relief & Sleep Issues

Dealing with anxiety but don’t want to get addicted to benzos? Well you certainly are not alone. Many people search for alternatives to Benzodiazepines every single day. And there exist plenty of safe alternatives to benzodiazepines. Some people also prefer to deal with anxiety all naturally. Dealing with anxiety without the assistance of any medication is difficult but it is still possible. Now the obvious question that comes to mind is ”What are these Natural alternatives to benzodiazepines?” but before we go into that, let’s first talk about what a Benzodiazepines is.

What Are Benzodiazepines? How Exactly Do They Work?

Benzodiazepines belong to a drug class called psychoactive, central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs. It is a sedative-hypnotic drug used to treat seizures, anxiety and insomnia. But how does Benzo help anxiety? How does it even work? Well, it enhances your GABA receptors and slows down your brain’s neurotransmitters. Slowing your nerves firing and making you feel more relaxed in the process. These are often used as a short-term treatment for anxiety because when used for long-term they can develop some serious dependency and addiction. That is exactly why people search for safer and more sustainable alternatives. 

Safer Alternatives To Benzodiazepines

As we already know using benzos for a long time holds major dependency and addiction problems. That is what makes finding safer alternatives so important. Benzos are used to treat a lots of things but some major are insomnia, anxiety, alcohol withdrawl and seizures. And there are many alternatives for each one of them.

Alternatives to benzodiazepines for insomnia

Safer alternatives to benzodiazepines for sleep means bettering your natural sleep cycle rather than sedating your brain into sleep. People often use medicines like Melatonin and Ramelteon because they can improve your circadian rhythm without building up dependance. If your sleeplessness is related to stress and depressive issues then you might get prescribed for low-dose antidepressants like Trazodone. Aside form all this the best solution for insomnia is to find out the root cause of it rather than just putting in random medicines in your body. So trying CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is your best option. Some people also prefer herbal options like Ashwagandha and Valerian Root instead of pills.  

Alternatives to Benzodiazepines for anxiety

Finding the root cause of the anxiety and fixing it is what needs to be done. Doctors sometimes tell you to take SSRI medicines like Lexapro and Prozac because they are antidepressants and can be used to treat anxiety. SSRIs are a safer option because they are not as addictive as benzos. Supplements like L-Theanine and Omega-3 fatty acids are recommended because they promote calmness in your brain. Herbal remedies such as Ashwagandha and Chamomile tea can also help keep your anxiety at bay. Other than all this for a long-term once-and-for-all solution you should again consider CBT. Staying physically active and doing a bit of yoga can also be of help. 

Alternatives to Benzodiazepines for Seizure

Seizure is a much more serious issue than any other. Benzodiazepines are used as a last resort to treat seizures in emergencies. The better treatment for seizures is when you treat it for the long run. Anti-epileptic medicines like Levetiracetam and Lamotrigine are often used as the very first line of treatment. Natural supplements like Magnesium and Vitamin B6 can be of help but very little at that. There has been some strong evidence that a Ketogenic diet can also reduce epilepsy in certain cases. In some cases VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation), a therapeutic treatment can also be used.

Alternatives to Benzodiazepines for Alcohol withdrawal

Benzos are not the first treatment that comes to mind when dealing with alcohol withdrawal. But sometimes benzodiazepines like Diazepam are used because it has similar effects on your brain as alcohol. Taking benzo as a solution to a withdrawal when benzo itself can cause withdrawal doesn’t really make sense. Anticonvulsants like Carbamazepine and Gabapentin can help manage mild to moderate symptoms and reduce seizure risk that are caused during alcohol withdrawal. Beta-blockers like Propranolol help with tremors and rapid heart rate. But before taking any of these medicines first talk to your doctor about your condition. 

Why Take Alternatives? 

If you take benzos in moderation according to your prescription, it is considered pretty safe. But it is addictive and any misuse or long-term use can lead to some health issues.

Issues like:

• Dependence
• Tolerance
• Memory issues
• Poor coordination
• Drowsiness

Benzodiazepines are also a problem for pregnant women. Because benzos affect pregnancy in more ways than one. This is exactly why people try to avoid taking benzos. Being addicted to benzos can be very hard and if you try to quit suddenly, you will be hit with the withdrawal effects. But with the willpower strong enough and a little assistance from Benzodiazepine addiction treatment, it can be made much easier.

When To Visit The Doctor

When you find yourself intentionally taking a higher dosage of benzos than you are originally prescribed. And when you feel a constant craving for it. That is the time when you should visit the doctor. A person addicted to benzos may show signs like mood swings, confusion and isolation. If you have any of these symptoms then you should pay the doctor a visit once. Your doctor surely can help you quit your addiction but avoiding benzo addiction altogether is much better than treating it later on. 

Handle Anxiety Without Medications

Now if your anxiety is not that strong and you do not want to put medicines or random supplements in your body then that’s doable too. There are ways to manage anxiety without taking any sort of medication or natural/artificial supplements. Ways such as:

• Do what you enjoy: Find time to disconnect yourself from work, responsibilities and technology and do what you love to do. Might be playing some instruments or playing some kind of sports with your friends or just watching your favorite team play on TV.  
• Learn a new skill: keep yourself busy with fun new learning activities. By keeping yourself busy with learning new skills you don’t give your brain enough time to overthink. No overthinking means no anxiety. 
• Get enough sleep: Getting enough shut-eye is very important. If your brain is well rested that means it’s healthy. And getting enough rest for your brain can certainly reduce anxiety symptoms.
• Get a workout in: Make a habit of going to the gym at least 5 days a week. This will not only better your physical health but also make you more confident. Also exercising on a regular basis will build discipline. When you work out your brain releases an adrenaline rush which can also help with anxiety. 
• Listen to music: music as a distraction. Listen to cheerful songs. Losing yourself in music can also calm your brain and make your anxiety better. 

Final Thoughts

There are many safer alternative to Benzodiazepines for you to try. You yourself need to figure out what works best for you. But do not try these alternatives without first conducting a proper research or asking a medical professional about it. Curing your anxiety naturally is much better than getting addicted to some pills.