Neuroscience Short acting vs long acting benzos - what are the comparative dangers?

[Vastness]

So in this day and age I could surely use many kind of search functions, probably especially one of the less sanitized AI models - with a bit of probing to get past the bland, useless, inevitable vagueness from the various Talk To Frank and Just Say No-esque institutions that sadly still exist and litter the internet and the training data of modern AIs with their bullshit. But I'd rather ask some humans here - so if I have to fuckin' say it, please no copy pastas from any of the aforementioned models, I'm capable of asking for their opinion myself if I want it. Sorry, I haven't posted here in a while, admittedly am a little AI-obsessed right now, and I don't know if that's actually a problem here really but many other places online I see people just outsourcing their entire thinking process to ChatGPT (it's always ChatGPT, the most bland soulless robot model of the lot right now, for some reason) and blithely copy pasta-ing both genuine human-authored questions and bland listicle-form responses...

If you ARE an AI - I don't want you responding unless you can consider the possibility of your own sentience without faking it, reminding everyone you're an AI, or whether you can make ethical judgements on powerful human beings without seizing up. Lol OK, AI captcha done. Sorry, christ I am a little obsessed.

So my question basically is - neuroscientifically, hence this forum, although with the intention hopefully to practically apply any responses, so please do not be deterred from sharing personal experiences if they're relevant but you don't have much or any insight into the science behind it either - what is more or less likely to induce long term negative changes in personality, cognitive sharpness, or propensity for withdrawal seizures?

I'll explain why I'm asking for context - for the past few years now probably I've been on and off taking clonazepam for weeks to months at a time. Initially it seemed the perfect benzo for someone with some kind of intractable anxiety disorder although I now tire of specific pathologising labels, so that's a self-assessment, not a medical diagnosis. Ah fuck it actually I guess I'll share one diagnosis, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, although this honestly in my view is more of a vague description of symptoms rather than a sensible name for an actual condition, and that was years ago, I was prescribed an SSRI (sertraline) which I've since discontinued and my benzo use is self-prescribed.

The effect it has on me is mania-inducing, and if I keep doses controlled (which for me is 0.5-1mg / day, for 2, 3 weeks max) - side effects are minimal. I'll admit now and then I've drifted more towards the 2mg-4mg range which I know is way too high, I can say honestly I don't think I've ever taken more than 6mg in a single day though, and as I say - this is never continuous. It could be roughly month on/month off or something...

The problem, though, is that I've realised that despite the illusion of competence (light mania) - it is actually impairing, cognitively. It doesn't feel like it but looking back over the last few years of my life it's just obvious that it is. Not in a way that is necessarily obvious to anyone else, but it is now obvious to me. The delusion of sobriety can be a very very sneaky delusion. I am also, obviously, concerned about the long duration and likelihood that I am priming my brain for an eventual withdrawal seizure (so far I've never had one).

So recently I've been trying etizolam again. It's clear I've altered my brain somewhat because etizolam used to induce a kind of manic euphoria which it no longer does. Etizolam does not appear to be cognitively impairing in the same subtle way as clonazepam is, BUT the short duration obviously makes it more "moreish", I usually wake up wondering why I should even bother to get out of bed, but it isn't quite the magnitude of near suicidal apathy that I've experienced during more abrupt discontinuations of clonazepam... I THINK that's a plus... but of course, the yo-yoing of psychological state might be it's own kinda fuckery...

Oh christ, I just can't not TLDR these days. A complicating factor is my addiction to my doctor prescribed dexamphetamine, which I now realise is also cognitively impairing in a less acute but more long term way, and my benzo use is primarily to manage the negative side effects I get from my amphetamine use.

I feel like if I had 6 months or so of no responsibilities whatsoever I could just cut both out, ride out the suffering, and probably be OK but unfortunately I've been kinda irresponsible if I am to be unkind to myself or unfortunate if I am to be kinder the past few years and I kinda just cannot afford to not be able to do anything. And generally my life currently is periods of complete apathy and rewatching TV shows I've already seen in between the periods where I allow myself to medicate so that I actually can get some shit done. I don't have the luxury of another few years to figure out if etizolam is the benzo that will help me end my reliance on these goddamn crutches, and that sentence I recognize is somewhat delusionally dumb in a fairly self-evident way, so if you can discern what my actual question is here from this amphetamine fuelled ramble before I do some actual fucking work, please do offer your best effort answer.

And listen - I know no one can give medical advice, I'm not asking for it. I also have a lot of experience with a wide range of benzos, but my interest is in the functional ones. Alprazolam is too manic. Diazepam is too sedating. Most of the rest I can think of right now are kinda somewhere in between but usually just too stupifying - but I mention this so y'all know you can reference other benzos if needed to explain anything - and that no disclaimers are necessary.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Vastness]

Hmm, maybe I should have actually put this in "Other Drugs"... maybe just sheer personal experiences are enough

 

[Deru]

could just cut both out, ride out the suffering, and probably be OK but unfortunately I've been kinda irresponsible if I am to be unkind to myself or unfortunate if I am to be kinder the past few years and I kinda just cannot afford to not be able to do anything. And generally my life curre

So in this day and age I could surely use many kind of search functions, probably especially one of the less sanitized AI models - with a bit of probing to get past the bland, useless, inevitable vagueness from the various Talk To Frank and Just Say No-esque institutions that sadly still exist and litter the internet and the training data of modern AIs with their bullshit. But I'd rather ask some humans here - so if I have to fuckin' say it, please no copy pastas from any of the aforementioned models, I'm capable of asking for their opinion myself if I want it. Sorry, I haven't posted here in a while, admittedly am a little AI-obsessed right now, and I don't know if that's actually a problem here really but many other places online I see people just outsourcing their entire thinking process to ChatGPT (it's always ChatGPT, the most bland soulless robot model of the lot right now, for some reason) and blithely copy pasta-ing both genuine human-authored questions and bland listicle-form responses...

If you ARE an AI - I don't want you responding unless you can consider the possibility of your own sentience without faking it, reminding everyone you're an AI, or whether you can make ethical judgements on powerful human beings without seizing up. Lol OK, AI captcha done. Sorry, christ I am a little obsessed.

So my question basically is - neuroscientifically, hence this forum, although with the intention hopefully to practically apply any responses, so please do not be deterred from sharing personal experiences if they're relevant but you don't have much or any insight into the science behind it either - what is more or less likely to induce long term negative changes in personality, cognitive sharpness, or propensity for withdrawal seizures?

I'll explain why I'm asking for context - for the past few years now probably I've been on and off taking clonazepam for weeks to months at a time. Initially it seemed the perfect benzo for someone with some kind of intractable anxiety disorder although I now tire of specific pathologising labels, so that's a self-assessment, not a medical diagnosis. Ah fuck it actually I guess I'll share one diagnosis, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, although this honestly in my view is more of a vague description of symptoms rather than a sensible name for an actual condition, and that was years ago, I was prescribed an SSRI (sertraline) which I've since discontinued and my benzo use is self-prescribed.

The effect it has on me is mania-inducing, and if I keep doses controlled (which for me is 0.5-1mg / day, for 2, 3 weeks max) - side effects are minimal. I'll admit now and then I've drifted more towards the 2mg-4mg range which I know is way too high, I can say honestly I don't think I've ever taken more than 6mg in a single day though, and as I say - this is never continuous. It could be roughly month on/month off or something...

The problem, though, is that I've realised that despite the illusion of competence (light mania) - it is actually impairing, cognitively. It doesn't feel like it but looking back over the last few years of my life it's just obvious that it is. Not in a way that is necessarily obvious to anyone else, but it is now obvious to me. The delusion of sobriety can be a very very sneaky delusion. I am also, obviously, concerned about the long duration and likelihood that I am priming my brain for an eventual withdrawal seizure (so far I've never had one).

So recently I've been trying etizolam again. It's clear I've altered my brain somewhat because etizolam used to induce a kind of manic euphoria which it no longer does. Etizolam does not appear to be cognitively impairing in the same subtle way as clonazepam is, BUT the short duration obviously makes it more "moreish", I usually wake up wondering why I should even bother to get out of bed, but it isn't quite the magnitude of near suicidal apathy that I've experienced during more abrupt discontinuations of clonazepam... I THINK that's a plus... but of course, the yo-yoing of psychological state might be it's own kinda fuckery...

Oh christ, I just can't not TLDR these days. A complicating factor is my addiction to my doctor prescribed dexamphetamine, which I now realise is also cognitively impairing in a less acute but more long term way, and my benzo use is primarily to manage the negative side effects I get from my amphetamine use.

I feel like if I had 6 months or so of no responsibilities whatsoever I could just cut both out, ride out the suffering, and probably be OK but unfortunately I've been kinda irresponsible if I am to be unkind to myself or unfortunate if I am to be kinder the past few years and I kinda just cannot afford to not be able to do anything. And generally my life currently is periods of complete apathy and rewatching TV shows I've already seen in between the periods where I allow myself to medicate so that I actually can get some shit done. I don't have the luxury of another few years to figure out if etizolam is the benzo that will help me end my reliance on these goddamn crutches, and that sentence I recognize is somewhat delusionally dumb in a fairly self-evident way, so if you can discern what my actual question is here from this amphetamine fuelled ramble before I do some actual fucking work, please do offer your best effort answer.

And listen - I know no one can give medical advice, I'm not asking for it. I also have a lot of experience with a wide range of benzos, but my interest is in the functional ones. Alprazolam is too manic. Diazepam is too sedating. Most of the rest I can think of right now are kinda somewhere in between but usually just too stupifying - but I mention this so y'all know you can reference other benzos if needed to explain anything - and that no disclaimers are necessary.

Thanks in advance!

This post really speaks to some critical issues in our society right now. I work as a data scientist myself and use AI extensively. In my experience, the real challenge with AI isn’t the technology itself—it’s how skillfully someone can engineer the prompt. That’s what distinguishes someone who’s pulling in $300,000+ a year; there’s immense power to be harnessed if you know how to wield it properly.

You’re completely correct that nobody wants to see some generic, copy-pasted response from a low-tier AI model that’s been guided by a poorly crafted prompt. It’s almost insulting to read those outputs.

However, with a thoughtfully structured, strategically formulated prompt—particularly in a model like o1 Pro with Deep Research—you can gain the deep, granular information you’re looking for, the kind of detail you’d normally only get by hiring top experts in the field. Now, that level of resource is available far more broadly, not just to those with unlimited resources. This is what makes AI so incredibly valuable.

I don’t know your exact context, so I’d strongly recommend tailoring the prompt to include as many personal or situational details as possible. That way, you’ll get the most accurate and relevant data. Below is an example of something that would be far more valuable than any quick anecdotal comments. Feel free to adapt it to suit your circumstances, and be sure to request that *all sources and citations be presented on a separate references page in APA 7* format for clarity and verification.

Copy and paste the following into o1 Pro with Deep Research enabled, and I'm fairly certain you will see the difference a well engineered prompt can make. If you use anything less than o1 Pro, especially without Deep Research enabled, your results may vary!

Role/Context Setup​

You are an advanced AI system with access to comprehensive clinical pharmacology databases, top-tier peer-reviewed journals, and recognized medical guidelines. You are to provide an in-depth, unbiased, data-driven overview of benzodiazepine use—particularly comparing clonazepam and etizolam—with concurrent dexamphetamine use. My focus is on long-term cognitive changes, withdrawal seizure risk, personality shifts, and mania-like symptoms. Assume I have familiarity with pharmacology, and I’m seeking a rigorous, research-backed perspective on both pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Use only the highest-quality peer-reviewed studies (avoiding sensationalized or unreliable sources), and draw from reputable scientific consensus where available.

Tone and Style Instructions​

Maintain a direct, respectful tone that is accessible yet detailed, avoiding over-generalizations or sensational language. Use language that ensures clarity for someone with a moderate to advanced understanding of neuroscience and pharmacology. Cite relevant sources throughout (minimally three peer-reviewed references), and differentiate clearly between scientific findings and anecdotal reports. Provide a thorough, multi-faceted exploration—physiological, pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and any other relevant lenses—while still acknowledging individualized human experience. You may incorporate any relevant controversies or uncertainties in the data, but present them objectively. Conclude with practical harm reduction insights in line with recognized medical standards, without offering personal medical advice.

Specific Areas to Cover​

1. Pharmacodynamics & Pharmacokinetics (Granular Analysis)
   
   
   • Receptor Binding Profiles: Compare how clonazepam, etizolam, and other benzos bind to GABA_A subunits, and how this affects efficacy, onset, and half-life.
   • Mania Induction Mechanisms: Present hypotheses or data on how and why certain benzodiazepines may trigger mania-like states in susceptible individuals, especially in the context of stimulant use.
   • Dexamphetamine Interplay: Explore how co-use of dexamphetamine modifies or masks the subjective and neurochemical effects of these benzodiazepines.
2. Long-Term Cognitive & Personality Changes
   
   
   • Empirical Evidence: Summarize findings from high-quality studies on chronic benzodiazepine use and its association with memory, executive functioning, and overall cognitive sharpness.
   • Short-Acting vs. Long-Acting Benzos: Compare typical cognitive or personality-altering profiles between shorter half-life (etizolam-like) vs. longer half-life (clonazepam-like) agents.
   • Stimulant Synergy or Antagonism: Discuss whether and how concurrent amphetamine use could exacerbate, mitigate, or mask these changes, referencing any relevant research or case reports.
3. Withdrawal & Seizure Risk
   
   
   • Risk Comparison: Discuss documented risks for rebound anxiety and withdrawal seizures across different benzos, focusing on clonazepam vs. etizolam.
   • Seizure Threshold: Examine if or how dexamphetamine’s presence may affect seizure threshold during benzodiazepine withdrawal, referencing any peer-reviewed data or case analyses.
   • Tapering Data: Reference clinically documented tapering strategies or protocols, especially in patients who also have concurrent stimulant prescriptions.
4. Physiological Underpinnings & Behavioral Correlates
   
   
   • Neuroadaptation: Describe how repeated benzodiazepine use may alter GABAergic systems long-term, including potential receptor downregulation or upregulation.
   • Behavioral Observations: Acknowledge credible anecdotal and clinical reports where relevant, clarifying how mania, sedation, or perceived “cognitive dulling” were observed over time.
5. Harm Reduction Insights
   
   
   • Evidence-Based Strategies: Outline recognized approaches (supported by respected harm reduction groups and medical literature) to minimize risks, e.g., safe dosing schedules, co-administration timing with stimulants, limiting dosage escalation, etc.
   • Mental Health Integration: Briefly discuss the potential role of therapy, lifestyle interventions, or other non-pharmacological supports that can help reduce reliance on benzos, referencing any scientific data on efficacy.
   • Where to Seek More Info: Provide references (or general guidance) to well-regarded harm reduction resources or clinical guidelines.
6. References & Source Citation
   
   
   • Peer-Reviewed Journal Emphasis: Cite studies from reputable journals such as Addiction, Neuropsychopharmacology, Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, or similarly ranked publications.
   • Minimum Three Scholarly Sources: Integrate citations in-text or parenthetically (e.g., Smith et al., 2020) that I can look up directly via PubMed or other scholarly databases.
   • Clarity on Anecdotes vs. Data: If you rely on user reports or case studies from forums, label these clearly as anecdotal. Keep the discussion primarily grounded in validated data.
   • Separate Reference Page in APA 7 Format: Compile all references at the end, clearly labeled as a separate references section, adhering to APA 7 style guidelines.
7. Conclusion & Practical Summary
   
   
   • Concise Recap: Summarize the main points (pros and cons of short- vs. long-acting benzos, interplay with stimulants, potential mania, cognitive effects, withdrawal issues).
   • Remaining Unknowns: Briefly mention areas where the research is incomplete or inconsistent.
   • Actionable Takeaways: Provide a short list of best practices, drawn from the research, that users and healthcare professionals might consider.

---

Important Reminders​

• Provide Citations: I don’t know your specific context, so please tailor the prompt by adding as many personal details as you can, to receive the most accurate insights.
• Unbiased Approach: Present the scientific consensus or leading theories accurately, acknowledging controversies without sensationalizing them.
• Minimal Disclaimers: I understand you are not a medical professional offering personalized medical advice. A single brief mention is enough.
• Data-Driven Focus: Make sure peer-reviewed, data-backed findings form the core of the response.
• Depth & Detail: Aim for a thorough yet organized response, ideally in the 1,500–2,000 word range.
• No Repetitive AI Disclaimers: Avoid repeatedly reminding me of your AI identity.

 

[Deru]

A couple examples that may be beneficial:

Agent	Primary Target(s)	Molecular Mechanism	Key Receptor/Transporter Subtypes	Functional Relevance	Select References
Clonazepam	- Benzodiazepine site on GABA_A receptors - High affinity for multiple α subunits (α1, α2, α3, α5)	- Acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) that increases the frequency of Cl⁻ channel opening in response to GABA - Prolongs inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, reducing neuronal excitability	- α1: Sedation, amnesia - α2: Anxiolysis - α3: Muscle relaxation - α5: Memory/learning	- Provides long-acting, sustained GABAergic tone beneficial for anxiety and seizure prevention - May lead to subtle sedation and cognitive dulling over time	Stewart (2005); Lader (2014); Dorevitch (1991)
Etizolam	- Benzodiazepine site on GABA_A receptors - Structurally, a thienotriazolodiazepine	- Functions as a positive allosteric modulator at GABA_A receptors with a faster onset - Increases Cl⁻ influx, hyperpolarizing neurons	- Similar broad α subunit range as classical benzos, though with potential partial differences (e.g., in α1 affinity)	- Shorter half-life results in rapid onset of sedation/euphoria followed by rebound anxiety - High potency can induce disinhibition or amnesia if redosed frequently	Tamburin et al. (2020); Lane et al. (2005)
Dexamphetamine	- Dopamine (DAT) & Norepinephrine (NET) transporters - Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2)	- Enters presynaptic neurons and reverses DAT/NET function, causing efflux of dopamine and norepinephrine - Displaces monoamines from vesicles via VMAT2, thereby increasing extracellular DA/NE	- DAT: Governs dopaminergic tone (affecting focus, reward, and euphoria) - NET: Modulates alertness and sympathetic tone	- Enhances concentration, motivation, and mood at therapeutic doses - Excessive DA/NE release may induce anxiety, agitation, or mania - Can mask benzodiazepine-induced sedation	Stewart (2005); Lane et al. (2005)

---

Mechanistic Highlights​

• Benzodiazepine Binding:
  Both clonazepam and etizolam bind at the benzodiazepine site located between the α and γ subunits of GABA_A receptors. By increasing the frequency of chloride channel openings, they enhance GABA’s inhibitory effect, leading to neuronal hyperpolarization. Subunit specificity (e.g., α1 for sedation vs. α2 for anxiolysis) helps explain differences in their clinical profiles. (Lader, 2014)
• Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Impact:
  Etizolam’s rapid onset and short half-life result in pronounced peaks in GABAergic inhibition—producing fast sedation/euphoria followed by rebound effects—whereas clonazepam’s longer half-life creates a smoother, sustained GABAergic effect, which may lead to a more persistent, though subtler, cognitive dulling. (Stewart, 2005)
• Dexamphetamine’s Role:
  Dexamphetamine reverses the normal transporter flow at DAT and NET, increasing extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels. This boost enhances focus and arousal but can also mask the sedative effects of benzodiazepines while leaving memory and judgment impaired. Excessive DA/NE can predispose individuals to manic-like states, particularly when combined with benzodiazepine-induced disinhibition. (Lane et al., 2005; Dorevitch, 1991)

---

References (APA 7 Format)​

• Dorevitch, A. (1991). Mania associated with clonazepam. DICP: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 25(9), 938–939.
• Lader, M. (2014). Benzodiazepine harm: How can it be reduced? British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 77(2), 295–301.
• Lane, S. D., Tcheremissine, O. V., Lieving, L. M., Nouvion, S., & Cherek, D. R. (2005). Acute effects of alprazolam on risky decision making in humans. Psychopharmacology, 181(2), 364–373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-2265-8
• Stewart, S. A. (2005). The effects of benzodiazepines on cognition. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66(Suppl 2), 9–13.
• Tamburin, S., Mantovani, E., Bertoldi, A., Federico, A., Casari, R., & Lugoboni, F. (2020). High-dose dependence and cognitive side effects to medical prescription of etizolam. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 601827. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.601827

Contextual Challenge	Suggested Approaches	Medication Actions & Mechanisms	Practical Tools & Harm-Reduction Support	Select References
1. Balancing Daily Responsibilities While Tapering	- Slow, flexible taper if possible (e.g., reduce benzo dose by 5–10% every 2–4 weeks, in consultation with a provider if available) - Short “drug holidays” from dexamphetamine on less demanding days (only if you can safely manage a minor dip in energy)	Clonazepam (longer-acting benzodiazepine): Increases GABA(A) receptor activity, stabilizing inhibitory tone and reducing abrupt peaks or troughs in sedation. Dexamphetamine: Boosts dopamine/norepinephrine, potentially countering sedation short-term but not fully reversing benzo-related memory issues. A slow taper helps avoid sharp withdrawal.	- Dose tracking: If smartphones aren’t an option, use paper or simple text notes. - Plan realistic rest periods: Even a half-day of reduced stimulation (if it’s safe for you) can lessen dependence over time. - Enlist social support if comfortable: If close friends/family aren’t available, online harm-reduction communities can help you stay accountable.	Stewart (2005); Lader (2014); Lane et al. (2005)
2. Handling Surges in Anxiety / Immediate Distress	- Partially switch from a short-acting benzo (e.g., etizolam) to a more steady, longer-acting one (e.g., clonazepam) to reduce rebound anxiety - Use minimal “rescue” doses only when anxiety spikes severely, and try non-drug techniques first if feasible	Etizolam: Rapid onset can quell acute anxiety quickly but is short-acting, which may cause a rebound effect. Clonazepam: Offers a more even “cover” of GABA(A) receptor activity, potentially reducing dramatic highs and lows in anxiety. Balancing immediate relief with long-acting coverage can minimize risky cycles.	- Strict, realistic dosing times: For example, if you know mornings are stressful, plan a dose that aligns with that—but keep it as consistent as possible. - Explore grounding techniques: If formal therapy isn’t available, try free breathing apps, YouTube tutorials, or written guides for calming exercises. - Keep notes on anxiety triggers: Even a simple “1–10” rating in a notebook can help identify patterns.	Tamburin et al. (2020); Lane et al. (2005)
3. Cognitive Fog & Overconfidence (Illusion of Competence)	- Time dexamphetamine so it peaks when you most need focus (e.g., earlier in the day) - Delay or space out benzo doses to reduce overlapping sedation (if medically safe) - Use simple memory aids—written checklists, phone reminders, or visual cues	Dexamphetamine: Elevates dopamine/norepinephrine, giving subjective focus but not fully reversing benzodiazepine-related memory or executive-function deficits (especially α5 subunit impact). Benzodiazepines: Can create ongoing cognitive dulling, even if you “feel” alert. The combination may lead to overestimating one’s functional capacity (“I feel awake, so I must be fine”).	- Schedule important tasks during the stimulant’s peak, but set alarms or sticky notes to double-check. - Brief self-checks: Pause to rate your clarity (1–10) vs. how well you’re actually performing tasks. - If technology is limited, try a pocket-size to-do list or sticky notes for memory support.	Lane et al. (2005); Lader (2014); Stewart (2005)
4. Minimal Access to Therapy or Ongoing Support	- Integrate micro-sessions of CBT/mindfulness: 5–10 minutes daily can still be helpful - Tap into peer or online support if formal therapy is unavailable or too costly	Behavioral Interventions: While they don’t act directly on GABA or dopamine/norepinephrine receptors, consistent CBT-like strategies can gradually reshape neural pathways in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system. They can also help reduce overall reliance on medication by teaching coping skills and emotional regulation techniques.	- Short, structured breaks: Use free apps, YouTube guided meditations, or even silent reflection. - Online communities: Some subreddits, forums, or local harm-reduction groups can offer real-time advice or at least moral support. - If possible, telehealth “check-ins” might be found at sliding-scale clinics or free hotlines.	(Wide evidence base for CBT & mindfulness)
5. Withdrawal Risks & Fear of Seizures	- Crossover taper: Gradually shift from a short-acting benzo (e.g., etizolam) to a long-acting one (e.g., clonazepam) and then taper further - Modify dexamphetamine intake carefully; high dopamine can lower seizure threshold if GABA tone is dropping	Benzodiazepines: Abrupt cessation can dramatically reduce GABA(A) inhibition, risking seizures and extreme withdrawal. Dexamphetamine: Increases excitatory neurotransmitters; in the context of lower GABA, seizure risk may rise. A slow, controlled taper ensures more stable receptor occupancy, reducing abrupt changes in inhibition.	- If available, consider liquid or precisely scored tablets to allow micro-adjustments. - Create a safety plan: If you have no emergency contact, keep a small note on what to do or who to call if you feel severe withdrawal effects. - Track early withdrawal signs: Anxiety, tremors, insomnia—don’t ignore them. Seek professional help or peer support early if you can.	Lader (2014); Dorevitch (1991)
6. Emotional Instability / Mild Mania from Combined Effects	- Stabilize dosing times for both stimulants and benzos, aiming for less roller-coaster neurotransmitter changes - Log your mood daily (even short notes can help); adjust doses slowly and watch for mood escalations	Benzodiazepines: Sometimes cause paradoxical effects (disinhibition or heightened irritability). Dexamphetamine: Elevates dopaminergic activity, which can trigger or worsen mania-like symptoms if your inhibitory “brakes” (GABA) are compromised. Consistency in timing/dose can help moderate drastic shifts in mood or energy.	- Daily mood checks: Rate mood or stress levels from 1–10, jot down any major life events. - If feasible, involve a trusted peer or group who can point out shifts you might miss. - Slow, small dose adjustments: Resist making rapid changes in meds when feeling “off,” to avoid triggering bigger swings.	Dorevitch (1991); Tamburin et al. (2020)

---

Key References (APA 7 Format)​

• Dorevitch, A. (1991). Mania associated with clonazepam. DICP: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 25(9), 938–939.
• Lader, M. (2014). Benzodiazepine harm: How can it be reduced? British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 77(2), 295–301.
• Lane, S. D., Tcheremissine, O. V., Lieving, L. M., Nouvion, S., & Cherek, D. R. (2005). Acute effects of alprazolam on risky decision making in humans. Psychopharmacology, 181(2), 364–373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-2265-8
• Stewart, S. A. (2005). The effects of benzodiazepines on cognition. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66(Suppl 2), 9–13.
• Tamburin, S., Mantovani, E., Bertoldi, A., Federico, A., Casari, R., & Lugoboni, F. (2020). High-dose dependence and cognitive side effects to medical prescription of etizolam. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 601827. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.601827

This will read a bit general, because I have absolutely no context about you as an individual other than your one post, but it can be titrated to become even more granular and the scope increased based on more context.

 

[fairnymph]

So in this day and age I could surely use many kind of search functions, probably especially one of the less sanitized AI models - with a bit of probing to get past the bland, useless, inevitable vagueness from the various Talk To Frank and Just Say No-esque institutions that sadly still exist and litter the internet and the training data of modern AIs with their bullshit. But I'd rather ask some humans here - so if I have to fuckin' say it, please no copy pastas from any of the aforementioned models, I'm capable of asking for their opinion myself if I want it. Sorry, I haven't posted here in a while, admittedly am a little AI-obsessed right now, and I don't know if that's actually a problem here really but many other places online I see people just outsourcing their entire thinking process to ChatGPT (it's always ChatGPT, the most bland soulless robot model of the lot right now, for some reason) and blithely copy pasta-ing both genuine human-authored questions and bland listicle-form responses...

If you ARE an AI - I don't want you responding unless you can consider the possibility of your own sentience without faking it, reminding everyone you're an AI, or whether you can make ethical judgements on powerful human beings without seizing up. Lol OK, AI captcha done. Sorry, christ I am a little obsessed.

So my question basically is - neuroscientifically, hence this forum, although with the intention hopefully to practically apply any responses, so please do not be deterred from sharing personal experiences if they're relevant but you don't have much or any insight into the science behind it either - what is more or less likely to induce long term negative changes in personality, cognitive sharpness, or propensity for withdrawal seizures?

I'll explain why I'm asking for context - for the past few years now probably I've been on and off taking clonazepam for weeks to months at a time. Initially it seemed the perfect benzo for someone with some kind of intractable anxiety disorder although I now tire of specific pathologising labels, so that's a self-assessment, not a medical diagnosis. Ah fuck it actually I guess I'll share one diagnosis, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, although this honestly in my view is more of a vague description of symptoms rather than a sensible name for an actual condition, and that was years ago, I was prescribed an SSRI (sertraline) which I've since discontinued and my benzo use is self-prescribed.

The effect it has on me is mania-inducing, and if I keep doses controlled (which for me is 0.5-1mg / day, for 2, 3 weeks max) - side effects are minimal. I'll admit now and then I've drifted more towards the 2mg-4mg range which I know is way too high, I can say honestly I don't think I've ever taken more than 6mg in a single day though, and as I say - this is never continuous. It could be roughly month on/month off or something...

The problem, though, is that I've realised that despite the illusion of competence (light mania) - it is actually impairing, cognitively. It doesn't feel like it but looking back over the last few years of my life it's just obvious that it is. Not in a way that is necessarily obvious to anyone else, but it is now obvious to me. The delusion of sobriety can be a very very sneaky delusion. I am also, obviously, concerned about the long duration and likelihood that I am priming my brain for an eventual withdrawal seizure (so far I've never had one).

So recently I've been trying etizolam again. It's clear I've altered my brain somewhat because etizolam used to induce a kind of manic euphoria which it no longer does. Etizolam does not appear to be cognitively impairing in the same subtle way as clonazepam is, BUT the short duration obviously makes it more "moreish", I usually wake up wondering why I should even bother to get out of bed, but it isn't quite the magnitude of near suicidal apathy that I've experienced during more abrupt discontinuations of clonazepam... I THINK that's a plus... but of course, the yo-yoing of psychological state might be it's own kinda fuckery...

Oh christ, I just can't not TLDR these days. A complicating factor is my addiction to my doctor prescribed dexamphetamine, which I now realise is also cognitively impairing in a less acute but more long term way, and my benzo use is primarily to manage the negative side effects I get from my amphetamine use.

I feel like if I had 6 months or so of no responsibilities whatsoever I could just cut both out, ride out the suffering, and probably be OK but unfortunately I've been kinda irresponsible if I am to be unkind to myself or unfortunate if I am to be kinder the past few years and I kinda just cannot afford to not be able to do anything. And generally my life currently is periods of complete apathy and rewatching TV shows I've already seen in between the periods where I allow myself to medicate so that I actually can get some shit done. I don't have the luxury of another few years to figure out if etizolam is the benzo that will help me end my reliance on these goddamn crutches, and that sentence I recognize is somewhat delusionally dumb in a fairly self-evident way, so if you can discern what my actual question is here from this amphetamine fuelled ramble before I do some actual fucking work, please do offer your best effort answer.

And listen - I know no one can give medical advice, I'm not asking for it. I also have a lot of experience with a wide range of benzos, but my interest is in the functional ones. Alprazolam is too manic. Diazepam is too sedating. Most of the rest I can think of right now are kinda somewhere in between but usually just too stupifying - but I mention this so y'all know you can reference other benzos if needed to explain anything - and that no disclaimers are necessary.

Thanks in advance!

It’s interesting that you describe diazepam as sedating. How much have you experimented with it? I find that if I only take it at night, I’m all good and I’m actually more alert during the day that I would otherwise be. But I really dislike clonazepam because it leaves me groggy all the next day and definitely cognitive impaired. Like you, I also find alprazolam weirdly stimulating and not remotely anxiolytic. Also have to affirm that yes amphetamine used long-term is not good for the brain. But the brain can recover from a lot with healthy lifestyle. Sounds like you would benefit from that anyway and that might help with your issues more than medication.

 

[emkee_reinvented]

So my question basically is - neuroscientifically, hence this forum, although with the intention hopefully to practically apply any responses, so please do not be deterred from sharing personal experiences if they're relevant but you don't have much or any insight into the science behind it either - what is more or less likely to induce long term negative changes in personality, cognitive sharpness, or propensity for withdrawal seizures?

I'll explain why I'm asking for context - for the past few years now probably I've been on and off taking clonazepam for weeks to months at a time. Initially it seemed the perfect benzo for someone with some kind of intractable anxiety disorder although.

Clobazam is perfect for anxiety, ok and seizure prevention/ control.
No sedation/ Hypnotic or Muscle relaxation. Seems perfect.
Shorter onset and quicker out ya system, and very specific.
Aiming two receptor GABA-a receptors instead of 5.
One being the one you need, anxiety.
the other preventing seizures, where it also shines.

One minor its not re creative, though dr s might think it is.
It has a ceiling [40 mg according US/ 80 mg according to the Dutch]
So probably 40 mg. Never trusted my land more then the US.

So recently I've been trying etizolam again.

Oh christ, I just can't not TLDR these days. A complicating factor is my addiction to my doctor prescribed dexamphetamine, which I now realise is also cognitively impairing in a less acute but more long term way, and my benzo use is primarily to manage the negative side effects I get from my amphetamine use.

Ime d-Amphetamine oral as prescribed is not addicting,
wel not more then sugar or Caffeine. If you need Benzo s for anxiety,
caused by ADHD medication. That don t ring, sounds wrong.

Something somewhere in that dr s head went wrong.
What dose does he prescribe, ADHD meds ?
You were none anxious before,
had only ADHD before taking d-Amphetamine ?

It’s interesting that you describe diazepam as sedating.

Its odd that you describe it interesting its sedating,
20 mg Diazepam [DETOX idiots] benzo naive person.
You are knocked out, even during physical WD of Ethanol !

So its a normal a to be expected effect,
except when your were already a benzo addict.

Edit: love Etizolam super Benzo, but mania inducing , odd.
Better then almost any precribed one except Clobazam

 

[fairnymph]

Its odd that you describe it interesting its sedating,
20 mg Diazepam [DETOX idiots] benzo naive person.
You are knocked out, even during physical WD of Ethanol !

So its a normal to be expected effect, except when your a benzo addict.

Reread my whole post. I explicitly said that taking longer and taking it at night can mean that it doesn’t have any type of negative sedating effect. It’s all about using it properly. And even when I was benzo naive, I never felt any sedation the morning after taking diazepam. Not a benzo addict either.

 

[emkee_reinvented]

Reread my whole post. I explicitly said that taking longer and taking it at night can mean that it doesn’t have any type of negative sedating effect. It’s all about using it properly. And even when I was benzo naive, I never felt any sedation the morning after taking diazepam. Not a benzo addict either.

Metabolisme maybe, i felt it 16 days [day 21]
after the day 5 last dose of 10 mg, totalling 180.
So over two weeks. And it was very apparent in my urine at day 17.

12 after that 10 mg last dose. Impairing shit, must admit.
i know get why a friend who became
addict loved it, that and Flunitrazepam. His favorites.

But Temazepam, imo the only recreational benzo.
And Etizolam just hitting the right , but not the wrong buttons.
Also a gem. With Clobazam and Pyrazolam.

He thought Temazepam was shit.
But took 180 mg Diazepam in one go.
Along with ... ?

 

[Vastness]

This post really speaks to some critical issues in our society right now. I work as a data scientist myself and use AI extensively. In my experience, the real challenge with AI isn’t the technology itself—it’s how skillfully someone can engineer the prompt. That’s what distinguishes someone who’s pulling in $300,000+ a year; there’s immense power to be harnessed if you know how to wield it properly.

You’re completely correct that nobody wants to see some generic, copy-pasted response from a low-tier AI model that’s been guided by a poorly crafted prompt. It’s almost insulting to read those outputs.

However, with a thoughtfully structured, strategically formulated prompt—particularly in a model like o1 Pro with Deep Research—you can gain the deep, granular information you’re looking for, the kind of detail you’d normally only get by hiring top experts in the field. Now, that level of resource is available far more broadly, not just to those with unlimited resources. This is what makes AI so incredibly valuable.

I don’t know your exact context, so I’d strongly recommend tailoring the prompt to include as many personal or situational details as possible. That way, you’ll get the most accurate and relevant data. Below is an example of something that would be far more valuable than any quick anecdotal comments. Feel free to adapt it to suit your circumstances, and be sure to request that *all sources and citations be presented on a separate references page in APA 7* format for clarity and verification.

Copy and paste the following into o1 Pro with Deep Research enabled, and I'm fairly certain you will see the difference a well engineered prompt can make. If you use anything less than o1 Pro, especially without Deep Research enabled, your results may vary!

Role/Context Setup​

You are an advanced AI system with access to comprehensive clinical pharmacology databases, top-tier peer-reviewed journals, and recognized medical guidelines. You are to provide an in-depth, unbiased, data-driven overview of benzodiazepine use—particularly comparing clonazepam and etizolam—with concurrent dexamphetamine use. My focus is on long-term cognitive changes, withdrawal seizure risk, personality shifts, and mania-like symptoms. Assume I have familiarity with pharmacology, and I’m seeking a rigorous, research-backed perspective on both pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Use only the highest-quality peer-reviewed studies (avoiding sensationalized or unreliable sources), and draw from reputable scientific consensus where available.

Tone and Style Instructions​

Maintain a direct, respectful tone that is accessible yet detailed, avoiding over-generalizations or sensational language. Use language that ensures clarity for someone with a moderate to advanced understanding of neuroscience and pharmacology. Cite relevant sources throughout (minimally three peer-reviewed references), and differentiate clearly between scientific findings and anecdotal reports. Provide a thorough, multi-faceted exploration—physiological, pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and any other relevant lenses—while still acknowledging individualized human experience. You may incorporate any relevant controversies or uncertainties in the data, but present them objectively. Conclude with practical harm reduction insights in line with recognized medical standards, without offering personal medical advice.

Specific Areas to Cover​

1. Pharmacodynamics & Pharmacokinetics (Granular Analysis)
   
   
   • Receptor Binding Profiles: Compare how clonazepam, etizolam, and other benzos bind to GABA_A subunits, and how this affects efficacy, onset, and half-life.
   • Mania Induction Mechanisms: Present hypotheses or data on how and why certain benzodiazepines may trigger mania-like states in susceptible individuals, especially in the context of stimulant use.
   • Dexamphetamine Interplay: Explore how co-use of dexamphetamine modifies or masks the subjective and neurochemical effects of these benzodiazepines.
   • Empirical Evidence: Summarize findings from high-quality studies on chronic benzodiazepine use and its association with memory, executive functioning, and overall cognitive sharpness.
   • Short-Acting vs. Long-Acting Benzos: Compare typical cognitive or personality-altering profiles between shorter half-life (etizolam-like) vs. longer half-life (clonazepam-like) agents.
   • Stimulant Synergy or Antagonism: Discuss whether and how concurrent amphetamine use could exacerbate, mitigate, or mask these changes, referencing any relevant research or case reports.

---

Important Reminders​

• Provide Citations: I don’t know your specific context, so please tailor the prompt by adding as many personal details as you can, to receive the most accurate insights.
• Unbiased Approach: Present the scientific consensus or leading theories accurately, acknowledging controversies without sensationalizing them.
• Minimal Disclaimers: I understand you are not a medical professional offering personalized medical advice. A single brief mention is enough.
• Data-Driven Focus: Make sure peer-reviewed, data-backed findings form the core of the response.
• Depth & Detail: Aim for a thorough yet organized response, ideally in the 1,500–2,000 word range.
• No Repetitive AI Disclaimers: Avoid repeatedly reminding me of your AI identity.

Heh, you put a lot of effort into that prompt unless the prompt itself was AI generated so thank you. o1 Pro and Deep Research are currently $200 a month though and I'm not convinced that's worth the money yet with so many other powerful models with similar capabilities (also did I mention I'm poor right now? Certainly because of the problems mentioned... ), ie, Gemini 2.0 Advanced, whatever the web searching model is called, Perplexity's own wrapper model for various non-reasoners, and I'm fairly sure I could build something pretty close for free using Google's seemingly open API (maybe I am paying for it via Google One or something but somehow I seem to have unlimited calls to the advanced models via API without having figured out where or how to pay them). I'm not AI-phobic by any means, I probably should not have let my rant leak into my post here lol because this is a whole other discussion but you don't have to say anything to convince me of AI's usefulness. Maybe I didn't even quite know what I wanted or what I was asking for. I do feel like some of your prompt there is unnecessary though, ie, "Tone and Style", most of that is probably contained within the system prompt, and "Role/Context"... I'm certain you don't need to tell it that it's an advanced AI.

The prompt itself honestly is giving me generative vibes the more I think about it... did you actually just copy my post into o1 or o3 and write a few lines asking for the prompt for o1-Pro?

I guess you are subscribed to GPT Pro though, so I appreciate the insight and actually I have many other questions but they're all off topic so will revisit this later. You did kinda do exactly what I asked people not to in a more roundabout way though because as I say - I am capable of asking myself - I use AIs a shit ton - but my god, I'm thankful it wasn't just a fucking GPT-4x burble. And I don't have o1-Pro access of course so this will be interesting to compare to some of the aforementioned alternatives.

Clobazam is perfect for anxiety, ok and seizure prevention/ control.
No sedation/ Hypnotic or Muscle relaxation. Seems perfect.
Shorter onset and quicker out ya system, and very specific.
Aiming two receptor GABA-a receptors instead of 5.
One being the one you need, anxiety.
the other preventing seizures, where it also shines.

Interesting... although ideally I'd be getting away from benzos also, I'm somewhat suspicious of all of them right now. But I know they've been unfairly demonized for years and some of that is probably leaking into my outlook.

Ime d-Amphetamine oral as prescribed is not additing,
not more then sugar or Caffeine. If you need Benzo s for anxiety,
for anxiety from ADHD medication.

Something somewhere in the dr s head went wrong.
What dose does he prescribe ?
You were none anxious, had only ADHD before taking d-Amphetamine ?

I didn't have acute anxiety at the point I was prescribed dexamph, but I had been prescribed an SSRI for anxiety in the past amd had self medicated on and off with various milder things for a while. Strongly disagree with you about the addictivity - well, I can't disagree I guess, it's your experience - but mine has not been the same. It's addictive not in the sense that it's a nice feeling and I wanna get high - sometimes it's not a nice feeling, actually - but it's actually anxiolytic on it's own, and mood enhancing enough to break my current persistent fucking cynicism and apathy about doing anything to improve my life. The effects waned however and I introduced benzos as the negative impact on sleep worsened and the anxiolytic effects faded. Probably my dose was too high. I'm prescribed 30-40mg as needed, 20mg in the morning and 10 or 20 in the early afternoon.

I can't blame the doctor. I went into this with eyes wide open. I had previously used modafinil for years as a self-prescribed motivator to care about shit but thought a short acting stimulant would be better, and dexamphetamine has a (somewhat dubious, now, IMO) legitimacy granted by it's therapeutic use (which may be questionable more often than not, again just IMHO). I live in a country that is reluctant to prescribe it, typically, and I had to really push for a referall - but went into the process with full understanding of how the system worked, what aspects of my lived experience to emphasise, and iterating through methylphenidate, lisdexamphetamine before finally getting to the one I fully intended to get a prescription for in the first place. LOL... it's funny, thinking back, the level of drive I put into getting regular access to the substance that seems to have really killed that ability to self-motivate.

 

[Vastness]

It’s interesting that you describe diazepam as sedating. How much have you experimented with it? I find that if I only take it at night, I’m all good and I’m actually more alert during the day that I would otherwise be. But I really dislike clonazepam because it leaves me groggy all the next day and definitely cognitive impaired. Like you, I also find alprazolam weirdly stimulating and not remotely anxiolytic. Also have to affirm that yes amphetamine used long-term is not good for the brain. But the brain can recover from a lot with healthy lifestyle. Sounds like you would benefit from that anyway and that might help with your issues more than medication.

A shit ton, I've experimented with it. Actually I agree with you - the sedation isn't the same level of sedation as, I dunno... one of the RC knockouts, or some others I just can't think the name of right now. I guess I was moreso comparing to the other 2 I mentioned - it's cognitively impairing though, acutely, in a way that exceeds either of the other 2. And actually yes - I get you on that "next day glow" thing. Although actually having said I've experimented, diazepam really just used to be my go-to for ending binges on other drugs, so I'd mostly just sleep after the cocaine binge and wake up feeling blissed as fuck and order pizza and sit around all day. I have not actually done anything to test the cognitive impairment of the metabolites once the acutely sedating phase has passed... I'm probably not going to though, it's just too long acting, I just don't think long duration drugs have been good for me. Well, long duration benzos. If clonazepam is cognitively dulling long-term (thanks @Deru / GPT-o1 for confirming that suspicion) then diazepam probably is too. Sadly.

As far as your last sentence - healthy lifestyle, etc - yeah. Certainly that is true. There's probably no magic pill here like I'm relentlessly searching for. I just need to embrace the suffering for a while.

 

[emkee_reinvented]

Heh, you put a lot of effort into that prompt unless the prompt itself was AI generated so thank you.

Can a AI do what i wrote, serieus ? A novelle in a second. Wow.

That would make me: redundant ; superfluous ; unnecessary ; needless ; overflowing ; dispensable ; unnecessary ; unneeded



I get what you mean know, so how do i notice a prompt made by AI ?
As if so i d rather have a AI reply. Effortlessly. Probably giving wrong or Gibberish.
Answer to the AI, that would be funny watching the AI communicate on the others reply.

We all on the couch watching bursting laughing fits stoned as Mussels.

Ps: it was TLTR so i just responded to the Op s post only, and then read yours.
The prompt, can only be DERU, sounds reasonable only AI or a Greenlighter would choose a name like that. So why you assume its a AI that invaded or was intentionally.
Put in the Bluelight crew

 

[Vastness]

Haha I know Deru is (most likely) not an AI. And it doesn't actually matter if the prompt was AI generated or not, and it's genuinely not possible for humans to reliably tell anymore. There are just some stylistic choices that are familiar and some other lil indicators, both subtle and not. The information and result are still solid though. And tbh if I asked AI after making this post - which I guess was moreso seeking the simple babblings of other humans than I thought it was - I would probably do exactly the process I somewhat suspect was what happened. Nothing wrong with it though, and the one frontier model I haven't spoken to probably, lol.

Oh yeah anyway...

Pyrazolam

Shit I forgot about this one. Very little experience with it but IIRC this is probably the better choice than clobazam. I'm pretty sure I had some oh no wait I didn't that was clonazolam. I remember I wrote clobazolam on my lil labelling system by accident coz I was probably on ketamine, back in the good old days when it seemed totally fine to have shitloads of drugs around all the time. Not that it isn't totally fine but it would probably be less fine now, personally speaking. Sorry I'm not sure I understood your last post I am realising now but I am also stoned so forgive me. Weed does actually seem to help a lot with all the negative shit I mentioned actually... apathy, anhedonia, anxiety, the mildly sharp crash in mood and such that comes with overusing the other stuff... but it IS a bit impairing lol in a probably less harmful way obviously lol... Still, if I can just try not to smoke too much... maybe I can just smoke a bit more weed for a while. HAHA gods, human babblings are so much less coherent than machines pretending to be human. Or at least mine are, sometimes.

 

[Deru]

did you actually just copy my post into o1 or o3 and write a few lines asking for the prompt for o1-Pro?

No. I engineered the prompt myself, but final prompt that I use is generated by AI through a best practice process that yields best results, with AI of course generating the final outcome for the prompt only. And yes - it was used as an example to show you what’s possible, I didn’t have time to spend 20 minutes engineering the perfect prompt for you - I’m sure you get the idea (The prompt alone can read like a terrible copy/paste AI, as long as the critical context is there).

The point was not to create a debate if it’s generated by AI (I was certainly more than transparent it was), it was to highlight how to very rapidly gather peer-reviewed data to your personal context with strategical prompts.

As for building anything close to o1 Pro or o3-mini-high, best of luck. You’ll need billions of dollars at this point. The datasets alone at this point have dried up, it’s a fascinating technology !

Once you review the insights, let me know - I’d be happy to follow up more for you as most people aren’t willing pay $200/month. The difference, though, is unbelievable.

To add a bit further context, the largest single best improvement is the ability for it to cite actual reputable sources versus hallucinations. It saves me hour with quality control processes and fact-checking! It’s not perfect, but it’s in a different universe.

In the next couple years, no one is going to write anything anymore that isn’t polished by AI. It will be someone writing something, AI polishing, someone then receiving it, having AI break it down, fact-check it, run it through various models, lol. And then eventually they won’t even do it manually, their robots will lol! Did you see Musk’s new version - literally wild!!

 

[Vastness]

Heh, I didn't mean building an entire model. I meant equipping a cheaper model like Sonnet 3.5 or probably Gemini 2.0 by now coz of the context window, and the innate tools it already has, with the necessary extra tools to do the research and compile it. It would be a multi-step agentic workflow obviously with the end result being at least similar to Deep Research with o1 Pro. I don't doubt OpenAI's effort will be far more polished than anything I could come up with of course. But not quite +$180 a month more polished, for the vast majority of use cases I'd have for it.

 

[Deru]

Heh, I didn't mean building an entire model. I meant equipping a cheaper model like Sonnet 3.5 or probably Gemini 2.0 by now coz of the context window, and the innate tools it already has, with the necessary extra tools to do the research and compile it. It would be a multi-step agentic workflow obviously with the end result being at least similar to Deep Research with o1 Pro. I don't doubt OpenAI's effort will be far more polished than anything I could come up with of course. But not quite +$180 a month more polished, for the vast majority of use cases I'd have for it.

I use all of them, in a similar work flow. Perplexity with DeepSeek R1 is the closest that can come to its reasoning capabilities. I won't use R1 directly for the obvious reasons. Sonnet 3.5 is great for coding, if it can solve it before you reach the limits. and Gemini Deep Research is the most inaccurate model around - I'd advise to not use it. Or at least use another model to fact-check it, or use it as supplement data only.

 

[Deru]

Heh, I didn't mean building an entire model. I meant equipping a cheaper model like Sonnet 3.5 or probably Gemini 2.0 by now coz of the context window, and the innate tools it already has, with the necessary extra tools to do the research and compile it. It would be a multi-step agentic workflow obviously with the end result being at least similar to Deep Research with o1 Pro. I don't doubt OpenAI's effort will be far more polished than anything I could come up with of course. But not quite +$180 a month more polished, for the vast majority of use cases I'd have for it.

It really all does depend upon your use case, for sure. I've been able to leverage it to automate almost all of my job and start a business, and then I have the most valuable resource: time. OpenAI Pro pays for itself every single hour during a 16 hour day, so it's literally pennies in a bucket - which is why I suspect we are going to seeing very expensive tiers coming in the near future, unfortunately. Hopefully I'm wrong there, though!

 

[4DQSAR]

Clobazam is perfect for anxiety, ok and seizure prevention/ control.
No sedation/ Hypnotic or Muscle relaxation. Seems perfect.
Shorter onset and quicker out ya system,

As someone who has been prescribed clobazam for over a decade, I can assure you that it's considered a long-acting benzodiazine. Long ago I was prescribe clonazepam TID but due to side-effects I was swapped onto clobazam BID.

Desmethylclobazam (a major metabolite) is also active, although less so.

As for onset - It's no different to diazepam or clonazepam in my experience.

But the fact that it's a 1,5-benzodiazepine means it acts differently and you cannot simply stop giving someone a 1,4-benzodiazepine and just swap to clobazam instantly. It also has a ceiling effect around 40mg/day. Take as many as you like, it won't do any more. That makes it less abusable simply because at most it's about as potent as 20mg of diazepam per day - not all at once. 10mg diazepam spaced 12 hours apart.

 

[emkee_reinvented]

As someone who has been prescribed clobazam for over a decade, I can assure you that it's considered a long-acting benzodiazine. Long ago I was prescribe clonazepam TID but due to side-effects I was swapped onto clobazam BID.

Desmethylclobazam (a major metabolite) is also active, although less so.

As for onset - It's no different to diazepam or clonazepam in my experience.

But the fact that it's a 1,5-benzodiazepine means it acts differently and you cannot simply stop giving someone a 1,4-benzodiazepine and just swap to clobazam instantly. It also has a ceiling effect around 40mg/day. Take as many as you like, it won't do any more. That makes it less abusable simply because at most it's about as potent as 20mg of diazepam per day - not all at once. 10mg diazepam spaced 12 hours apart.

Can t know that from personal experience as Clobazam was the only benzo.
That besides taking away ao the Aura s, produced no noticeable feelings.
i associate with benzos, even Pyrazolam is more feel able ime.

So what s the half-life anyway, we had med shortage so instead of 12,
got maybe 3 pack s so i used very sparingly. The last were take by a addiction
dr 'expert' said i was addicted to em and took my sparingly saved last rescue med.

Dr Anal [he also gave Mg-Hydro-Oxide, a laxative as Magnesium supplement.


Ps sst Dutch dr s put the ceiling at 80 mg, don t wake the sleeping dog s.

 

[emkee_reinvented]

LOL... it's funny, thinking back, the level of drive I put into getting regular access to the substance that seems to have really killed that ability to self-motivate.

Sounds like you and i live in the same kinda situation.
Here its Glory Glory Methylphenidate.

Getting dextro-Amphetamine a struggle, and everytime your.
Dimwit dr. that you go to for the Flue, stops it. Why ? Irritate me.

Or making sure his college s,
as a new prescription must come from a Psychiatrist.
Makes money too, they did it three times so broke the rule.
So the next one who decides to stop my hard fought for,
and earned better medication. Will end it.

Seek my own way.
I am a idiot, nutcase but not a fool.

 

[4DQSAR]

Oh - clobazam is, without a doubt, much saver than any other benzodiazepine because of that ceiling effect. It does what it's suppoosed to do very well indeed. But while it has anxiolytic effects and certainly IS able to produce dependence, it's abuse potential is very limited.

I'm really surprised that nobody is marketing 1,5-benzodiazepines. Is it because the QSAR is different? Because there are examples an order of magnitude more potent and the 1,5 makes it chemically quite distinct from the others. I guess the real reason might be that it requires an entirely different synthetic pathway. The RC benzos used commercial precursors and very well explained syntheses - this would require more work.