Final answer:
CNS depression from benzodiazepines can cause euphoria and relaxation, progressing to nausea, vomiting, impaired motor function, and cognition. Serious effects include decreased blood flow to the brain, agitation, anxiety, sleep problems, abnormal heart rhythms, and low blood pressure. Additionally, risks include withdrawal, rebound syndrome, tolerance, and dependency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signs and symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) depression resulting from benzodiazepine use may include euphoria, relaxation, and talkativeness at first. However, these can progress to more severe effects such as nausea, possible vomiting, impaired motor and sensory function, impaired cognition, decreased blood flow to the brain, agitation, anxiety, sleep problems, abnormal heart rhythms, and low blood pressure. Prescribed widely as anti-anxiety agents or sedatives, benzodiazepines—such as alprazolam (Xanax®), diazepam (Valium®), and lorazepam (Ativan®)—can cause severe CNS depression, particularly when taken in overdose or in combination with other CNS depressants like alcohol and opiates. This is due to their additive and synergistic effects, with barbiturates also increasing the binding affinity of benzodiazepine sites, leading to exaggerated effects of benzodiazepines. Furthermore, benzodiazepines present the risk of withdrawal, rebound syndrome, tolerance, and dependency if discontinued rapidly.