Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the US, starting at the age of 18, meaning that 18% of the general population is affected by this most prevalent mental illness. According to a study by the U.S. Anxiety and Depression Association of America, only anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion annually, or roughly one-third of the entire mental health budget of the country.
The majority of people frequently turn to Xanax when they're feeling anxious without realizing that frequent use can have adverse effects on alpha waves. According to SDI Health, Xanax, also known as Alprazolam, was one of the top eight most frequently prescribed drugs in 2010.
What exactly is Alprazolam (Xanax): The price of Calm
Only in 2011, there were significantly more than 49 million prescriptions for alprazolam. This medication acts much like other benzodiazepines. It binds to GABA receptors in the mind and slows down heartbeat and breathing.
Typical Side Effects of Xanax:
- Vomiting
- Dyspnea or shortness of breath
- Weakened motivation
- Skin rash, respiratory depression, constipation
- Hypersalivation
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Decreased libido
- Excessive talking
- Anterograde amnesia and concentration problems
- Drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness and impaired coordination, vertigo
More severe Side Effects of Xanax:
- Seizures
- Memory problems
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Strange dreams
- Suicidal thoughts
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
Long Term Side Effects of Xanax
The major long-term side effect could be the increased risk of obsession with this drug. Its sedative effects cause the development of tolerance, specially when referring to constant usage. When this happens, the patients increase its dose to be able to search for the same effect, and in the end, this will lead to compulsive use and sedative addiction.
The Drug Enforcement Administration claims that in 2010 there were approximately 350, 000 er visits related to benzodiazepines, while those related to alprazolam were higher than a third of these.
Significantly more than 20 million people over the age of 12 at some time in their lives have reported misuse of benzodiazepines.
A Natural Alternative to Xanax: L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid which can have similar effects like Xanax, providing the relaxing effects, but without causing any other negative effects like Xanax.
It works by interacting with the receptors of mental performance and increasing dopamine, glycine, and GABA levels in the mind. As a result, this calms the central nervous system, produces an expression of calm, and reduces stress. L-theanine has the ability to flake out mental performance by increasing alpha-waves in the brain.
Australian researchers conducted research in 2004 which involved 16 volunteers. They compared the results of 1mg of Xanax and 200mg of theanine to see that theanine provides better effects, and thus it induces relaxation through the duration of the resting task, while non-e of these showed acute anxiolytic effect throughout the 2nd task which was anxiety.
Taking L-theanine: Tea:
Green tea: A cup of green tea contains 8mg of L-theanine
Black tea: 200ml cup of black tea contains 25mg of L-theanine
Matcha green tea powder: 2 mg of matcha yield contains 29mg of L-theanine.
Brewing Guidelines:
— Steep tea at 80 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes
— Use water to tea ratio of 20 ml per 1 gram
— Steep tea that is between 0. five and 1 mm in particle size!
source:theheartysoul.com
