Researchers at CU Anschutz have recently published a study in the journal PLOS ONE that reveals a concerning connection between the use of benzodiazepines and long-term neurological complications. The study introduces a new term called benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) to describe the long-term complications experienced by a subset of patients.
Benzodiazepines, a class of psychoactive drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and seizures, have been widely used for decades. However, this new study presents significant evidence that a portion of patients who take benzodiazepines experience lasting negative effects on the nervous system, even after discontinuation.
According to Dr. Alexis Ritvo, an assistant professor in psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the medical director of the nonprofit Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, these findings should lead to a change in how benzodiazepines are prescribed. The fact that a subset of patients experiences long-term neurological complications challenges the long-held belief that benzodiazepines are generally safe and effective.
Dr. Christy Huff, one of the coauthors of the paper and a cardiologist and director of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, shared her personal experience as a patient, stating that she still experiences symptoms on a daily basis, even four years after discontinuing benzodiazepines. This survey and the new term BIND aim to give a voice to the patient experience and emphasize the need for further research into benzodiazepine harms.
The survey, a collaboration between CU Anschutz, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and patient-led advocacy organizations, involved analyzing data from 1,207 benzodiazepine users. The results revealed that the symptoms experienced by patients were long-lasting and often distinct from the original symptoms they were prescribed benzodiazepines for. Symptoms such as low energy, difficulty focusing, memory loss, anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts persisted for over a year in over half of the respondents.
Furthermore, the study found that these long-term symptoms had a significant negative impact on various areas of respondents’ lives, including damaged relationships, job loss, and increased medical costs. In fact, 54.4% of respondents reported having suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide.
The newly coined term BIND is believed to be a result of brain changes caused by benzodiazepine exposure. Previous studies have described this condition using various terminologies, but this study unified them under the term BIND to accurately describe the neurological dysfunction resulting from benzodiazepine use.
Given these findings, the researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into the risk factors for BIND and the development of appropriate treatment options. The current lack of knowledge about BIND underscores the urgent need to reassess how benzodiazepines are prescribed and administered.
This study serves as a wake-up call for healthcare professionals and patients alike to recognize and address the potential long-term neurological complications associated with benzodiazepine use. With increased awareness and further research, steps can be taken to ensure the safe and appropriate use of these medications while minimizing the risk of harm to patients’ nervous systems and overall well-being.