Tranquilizers

benzo's

Most anxiolytics, like most sleeping pills, belong to the benzodiazepine family. Molecules in this class are well known for their calming, even soothing effect. People who are sensitive to them, or who take large doses, risk feeling drowsy, or even "zombie-like". This state obviously prevents effective work during waking hours. In addition, anxiolytics have been shown to reduce memory performance and cause memory loss !

And while they make it easier to fall asleep, it's important to remember that "benzo" drugs alter the sleep architecture : they reduce the deep, restorative sleep phase. Once they have been discontinued, "benzo's" still have harmful effects on sleep, since they can lead to rebound insomnia !

Benzo" drugs are also habit-forming, leading to psychological and physical dependence, sometimes very quickly (3 weeks).

If you stop abruptly, you risk problems such as muscle pain, depression, irritability, excessive sweating, diarrhea, etc, ...

If your doctor prescribes "benzo" drugs, he or she will tell you not to drink alcohol, as this will increase their harmful effect. He'll also tell you not to drive. And you'll never be prescribed them if you're on methadone : it could be fatal for you

Cannabis

Some young people smoke a little "joint" to relax. Cannabis is a drug, a mild one perhaps, but a drug all the same whose chronic use has physical, psychological and social consequences that can be extremely serious.

Among other things, regular use of cannabis leads to memory and concentration problems, and intellectual laxity. What's more, you're likely to feel unmotivated, anxious and uncomfortable: not at all ideal during exam periods !