Alcohol versus Benzos effects on the brain?

[drfeelgood1]

Does alcohol have the same effects as taking benzos?
In other words, what I meant to mean, does alcohol attack the same brain receptors like GABA like benzos do?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GABAA_receptor

I think Benzos are less fun recreationally like taking Xanax for example. If I take alot like 1mg, I fall asleep. And If I take like .5mg, sometimes no effects at all just a bit feeling looser but without the buzz...My inhibitions are there, but without that "buzz" or "kick" that alcohol has. And I dont mean being "drunk" just that buzz, maybe from drinking 2 shots of Vodka and thats it.

I know alcohol is a toxic poison and benzos are much safer to the liver. But my question is, does alcohol bind to the GABA receptors just like benzos do?

 

[rickolasnice]

Pretty much.

Benzodiazepines and Alcohol are both GABAa agonists. They both bind to the GABAa receptor types. But their affinity and selctiveness(?) may differ somewhat (I don't know the figures)

But alcohol also goes on a mad one around the brain.. It also inhibits NMDA and stimulates 5-ht3.. And probably more?

 

[LOGan1314]

^^Good post. When I drink i feel much more "intoxicated" than almost any substance. I act completely different, and do really stupid shit.

I can feel the similarity to benzos, however, benzos feel much "cleaner" and focus one one area of the brain (if that makes sense?)

 

[Jktm]

^^Good post. When I drink i feel much more "intoxicated" than almost any substance. I act completely different, and do really stupid shit.

I can feel the similarity to benzos, however, benzos feel much "cleaner" and focus one one area of the brain (if that makes sense?)

This is exactly what I've always said...When people ask how Xanax affects you, I tell them that it's like a much clear-headed drunken feeling.

To answer the OP (as rick already stated), yes, benzodiazepines and ethanol agonize GABA_a receptors, but benzodiazepines hit special GABA_a receptors that ethanol does not, and ethanol hits receptors that benzodiazepines do not. This is a lot of what is responsible for differences in pharmacological effects between benzodiazepines and ethanol.

 

[drfeelgood1]

I agree with Jktm.

Xanax or other benzos is more cleaner sedating-like mellow feeing but without that "buzz" or "kick" in the head as opposed to drinking.

 

[Thorns Have Roses]

They are both postive allosteric modulators at GABA_A, however they bind at different sites^{(Figure 1)} on the receptor, and have some different effects. I think ethanol makes the chloride channel open longer, but the stuff I read seems kinda iffy on the matter. I know barbs barbs make it open longer, and benzos make it open more frequently...they potentiate the binding of GABA rather than agonize the site themselves. Someone who actually knows what they're talking about can correct me if I'm wrong.

Of course ethanol has more receptor targets than that, here's a brief rundown

Check out this thread in ADD

Figure 1:

 

[drfeelgood1]

WOW, thanks Never Knows Best.

So, to make a long explaination short, it is safe to say that alchohol has the same effects as taking benzos? Am I correct?

Because sometimes whenever I have to take the "edge" off, I sometimes drink 2 shots of straight vodka, and I feel a bit relaxed with a mild buzz.
But NOT at all being "drunk".

 

[Thorns Have Roses]

So, to make a long explaination short, it is safe to say that alchohol has the same effects as taking benzos? Am I correct?

For our laymen's purposes, yeah, they're both GABAergics.

 

[Disraeli_Beers]

Let's not forget about the pH of ethanol, we all know what happens when bases come in contact with flesh, *emulsification of face*.

In a head to head show down I think this may be th determining factor.

 

[drfeelgood1]

This is a stupid question rather, but if I drink 2 shots of Vodka for example, how many MGs of Xanax or any other benzo would that equal to?
As far as the effects go?

Also, if one would stop "cold turkey" off of benzos, (which of course can be even dangerous), would alcohol prevent the cravings of benzos?
For example, when I was hooked on Vicodin for 3 years or so and then I stopped cold turkey....I drank some Kratom and that helped alot with my opiate cravings.

 

[Thorns Have Roses]

I drink 2 shots of Vodka for example, how many MGs of Xanax or any other benzo would that equal to?

Effects are dissimilar enough that I wouldn't compare them, though if you're specifically talking about anxiolysis or something maybe someone can give an answer (I've never used alprazolam, and don't have much experience with benzos).

Also, if one would stop "cold turkey" off of benzos, (which of course can be even dangerous), would alcohol prevent the cravings of benzos?

Bad idea. Yes booze can suppress withdrawal symptoms, but it's a jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire kinda situation. Tapering off of benzos slowly is the way to go, avoiding alcohol (valerian or kava kava would probably be acceptable to take the edge off). If you're not properly dependent and just getting rebound symptoms after a binge, then yeah it would work for that, just be careful.

 

[bronson]

Also, if one would stop "cold turkey" off of benzos, (which of course can be even dangerous), would alcohol prevent the cravings of benzos?

Take it from someone who's been there, you do NOT want to go cold turkey. It's plenty nasty enough even with a taper. Talk to a doctor and seek help if you are getting off anything above even a very light moderate habit.

Also, it was my observation, that drinking during the time of getting benzo free, not only offered setbacks, but just flat out made you feel worse. During use and after.