Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep at night can be a frustrating and a debilitating experience. If you’re considering using Diazepam to help with your sleep issues, it’s essential to understand this medication’s proper dosage and potential side effects.
Diazepam is a medication used to treat anxiety and insomnia and should be taken on average from 5mg up to 15mg once a day for sleep. It is available in different strengths and forms, including tablets, capsules, injections, and suppositories.
Known for its calming effects, Diazepam can cause side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and others, which has caused many to look for natural, side-effect-free alternatives. Unfortunately, this type of situation is precisely why you should only take this substance if it has been prescribed to you by your doctor.
Fortunately, as science advances, we can access rapid tests that reliably indicate these natural options for treating anxiety, insomnia, and more.
See more about Diazepam, how it works, side effects, and customized alternatives that can help you sleep better according to your need!
What is diazepam?
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. In addition, it can also be used as a muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant (for epilepsy).
Other less usual functions of Diazepam are its action for alcohol withdrawal, panic attacks, generalized restlessness, and other disorders caused by the brain.
It is possible to identify other drugs with similar effects by their names, as the class of benzodiazepines is commonly ended with “pam.” Some well-known examples are Alprazolam, Bromazepam, Clonazepam, Lorazepam barbiturates, Zolpidem, Zopiclone, etc.
How does diazepam work?
Diazepam is a hypnotic benzodiazepine drug with therapeutic effects and anticonvulsant properties. Thus, it acts on the Central Nervous System, supporting several functions.
Benzodiazepines are drugs that act on the brain to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other problems. They work by increasing levels of a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means that it helps reduce nerve activity in the brain. When GABA levels are increased, nerve signals become less intense, and the brain becomes calmer. This effect can help treat anxiety, insomnia, and other problems.
In this way, Diazepam acts in our brain by supporting the GABA receptors, causing reactions in our body such as sluggishness, sleepiness, and slower thinking.
How much diazepam should I take to sleep?
The appropriate dosage of Diazepam for sleep can vary depending on the disorder it is supposed to treat. Let’s look at some of the forms generally recommended by doctors for each situation, but remember that you should seek a specialized professional in any doubt about dosage:
- For anxiety: The recommended adult dose of Diazepam is 2 mg taken once a day (or every other day) for anxiety and panic disorder.
However, if you do not sleep well at night or wake up too early in the morning, this can also be a problem during daylight hours. Therefore, you may need to increase the dose to 10 or 20 mg once or twice daily until your symptoms improve.
- If you have insomnia: If you have insomnia, then taking Diazepam can help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer. When used for this purpose, Diazepam should be taken only when needed and not regularly.
- With sleep problems: If you have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep due to poor sleep habits or underlying psychological problems (e.g., depression), then taking two doses-one about 30 minutes before bedtime and another three hours later-will help ensure that you feel tired enough to fall asleep quickly when it’s time for bed.
- With alcohol withdrawal: If you are trying to quit drinking, then Diazepam can help alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This is especially true if you have anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
It is important to note that Diazepam can cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This means that you should only take it for a short period and only under the supervision of your doctor.
If you have chronic anxiety or panic attacks: If you suffer from chronic anxiety, then taking Diazepam before going out in public can help reduce symptoms such as sweating, trembling hands, rapid heartbeat, breathing, etc.
When used for this purpose, Diazepam should be taken only when necessary and not regularly.
As you can see, the dosage of Diazepam can vary greatly depending on your situation. The same goes for how long you should take this medicine before bed, as the time of action can change in each body.
Even so, something that does not change is the side effects of Diazepam. Regardless of why you take this benzodiazepine, it can cause severe damage and even death!
Side effects of diazepam
If you are taking Diazepam for anxiety or sleep problems, it is crucial to be aware of the side effects and their seriousness. The most common side effects of Diazepam are:
- Drowsiness;
- Clumsiness and lightheadedness (these can cause falls);
- Loss of coordination or muscle weakness;
- Slurred speech or problems with balance and coordination (which can affect driving);
- Blurred vision or double vision;
- Confusion, agitation, and irritability;
- Hallucinations or delusions;
- Slow breathing and heart rate;
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting;
- Headache, Diarrhea, Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth or dry eyes
- Sensitivity to light, sounds, and touch;
The side effects listed above are usually mild and temporary, but make no mistake, each body works differently.
If you experience severe side effects, such as chest pain, you should immediately stop taking the drug and seek medical help. You will also need to see your doctor if your symptoms have not improved after a few weeks of taking Diazepam or if they get worse.
It is a good idea to record any side effects you experience. This will help your doctor decide on future reports and further monitoring.
But if you want to get rid of any of these side effects and still achieve good results, learn about nutraceuticals and find out the action of each one based on science.
Natural supplements for sleep
If you are looking for natural sleep solutions, you need to know more about the supplements and the scientific basis behind these pills, which have no side effects or addiction.
Supplements are highly nutritious food extracts in capsule form. With this, you achieve an optimized substance for sleep, naturally and effectively.
Several studies have proven the action of each supplement, and the nutraceutical market has grown, confirming the action of each of these substances.
Get to know some of the most consumed supplements for sleep and find out which is best for your needs!
Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural supplement that helps regulate sleep. It is produced by the brain and is responsible for our biological clock, i.e., our sleep-wake cycle.
When we ingest melatonin, it helps induce sleep because it mimics the effect of darkness. In addition, melatonin can also help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and increase the duration and quality of sleep.
Studies prove its action improves sleep induction and duration, and it has no side effects like Diazepam and is safe.
5 HTP
5-HTP is a supplement that helps regulate sleep. It works through its action on the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that is involved in sleep regulation.
The 5-HTP supplement helps increase serotonin levels in the brain, which ultimately helps regulate sleep. In addition, it also helps reduce anxiety, which can contribute to more restful sleep.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a herb used for centuries to treat various conditions. However, the most common use of Ashwagandha is to aid sleep, as this herb works by decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing sleep quality.
It can also help reduce anxiety and improve mood, directly affecting sleep quality. Some studies also hint at Ashwagandha’s influence on depression, affecting sleep quality, duration, and latency.
Glycine
Glycine is an amino acid commonly taken as a supplement for its many potential health benefits. One of these potential benefits is improved sleep quality.
Glycine is thought to work by increasing levels of serotonin and other calming neurotransmitters in the brain, which may help promote relaxation and sleepiness. In addition, glycine has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and increase total sleep time.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm supplement is a great option to help treat insomnia and other sleep-related problems. The plant has sedative and calming properties that can help induce sleep and provide a restful night’s rest.
In addition, the supplement can also help relieve anxiety and stress, which are two of the main factors that can contribute to insomnia.
Zembrin
Zembrin is a supplement that is taken to improve sleep. It is a natural substance that is made from the herb Sceletium tortuosum. This nutraceutical has been used for centuries in South Africa to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression.
The active ingredient in Zembrin is a chemical called mesembrine. Mesembrine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI), which helps increase serotonin levels in the brain.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Zembrin is thought to work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which can improve sleep quality. Zembrin is generally well tolerated, and side effects are rare.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand how Diazepam works, its side effects, and the natural and effective alternatives.
As we have seen, Diazepam is a widely used drug that can help you get the rest you need. However, it also has some side effects and can be addictive if used too often.
It is important to remember that there are many other options available for people who want to improve their sleep habits without taking prescription drugs like Diazepam; these include natural supplements, Lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise every day, reducing the stress in your life, and also sleep hygiene.