Benzodiazepines ARE NOT GABA agonists. They don't cause the increased chloride firing into the neuron. The way Benzodiazepines work is by widening the chloride channel. GABA still has to bind to the GABA receptors in order for the impulse to be sent. However, benzodiazepines don't send a chloride impulse themselves. Therefore, they're not considered agonists.
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Benzodiazepines work by increasing the frequency of the opening of the associated chloride ion channel, not widening it.
Barbiturates work by increasing the duration of the opening.
Not sure where you got "widening" from.
Also, an agonist is a chemical that binds to some receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell. Agonists often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance. Whereas an agonist causes an action, an antagonist blocks the action of the agonist and an inverse agonist causes an action opposite to that of the agonist.
A benzodiazepine binds to GABA-a receptors and enhances the efficiency of it by increasing the frequency of the opening of the associated C.I. channel. Therefore, a benzodiazepine is a GABA-a agonist.
Mixing ANY Dopaminergic/Adrenergic stimulant with any GABAergix drug is extremely dangerous. Period.
I disagree. Enhanced GABA neuronal firing due to the use of a benzodiazepine will - to a certain degree - inhibit adverse effects produced as a result of stimulant drug use.
This is entirely wrong. A benzodiazepine and opiate boat depress breathing by slowing down the autonomic nervous system. Different neurotransmitters may be involved, but the result is still the same. Autonomic Nervous System depression.
Benzodiazepine-enhanced, GABA-induced respiratory depression is related to smooth muscle relaxation resulting in a mechanical effect with an increase in upper airway resistance and obstructive apnea rather than a central effect.
It is generally accepted that opioid-induced respiratory depression is attributed to activation of the µ2 opioid receptor, which is mainly found in the central nervous system, particularly the spinal cord.
Overdosing on either can however lead to apnea, hypoxia, coma and ultimately death.
This doesn't apply to what I'm saying. You don't take your stimulant ADHD med at the exact same time as the Benzo, therefore, the interaction they have with each other is minimal.
Actually, I do take them together. I've been taking them together for close to 7 years. The Xanax is taken TID, and the other OD. My cardiovascular health is in good working order.
Also, mixing an Opiate with a stimulant is much safer than mixing a benzodiazepine with a stimulant. Sources and facts can be cited, however, this is easily found in any study.
I would very much like to read a study in which the conclusion of said study - beyond a reasonable doubt - is that combining a potent sympathetic nervous system stimulant with a full-agonist opioid analgesic is "much safer" (short and/or long term) than combining the same stimulant with a full-agonist benzodiazepine.