Stress - 7. Managing and Coping with Stress: 1. Benzodiazepines and Beta-blockers Flashcards
BZs
Benzodiazepines
What do BZs do?
Increase the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which decreases serotonin activity
Link between serotonin and stress
Low serotonin activity reduces arousal, thus reducing stress
Too much serotonin leads to high anxiety
What do BZs work directly on?
BZs work directly on the CNS by changing neurotransmitter activity
Two examples of BZs
Valium
Librium
What do BZs enhance the action of? How?
Enhance the action of GABA
By binding to receptors of the post-synaptic neuron, causing more firing of GABA
What percentage of neurons in the brain respond to GABA?
40%
Two pieces of research in support for BZs
Kahn et al:
250 patients studied over 8 week period. BZs were significantly superior to a placebo in managing stress
Hidalgo et al:
Meta-analysis of students focusing on treatment of social anxiety. BZs were more effective at reducing this anxiety than other drugs like antidepressants
BBs
Beta-blockers
What do BBs do?
Act directly on the sympathetic NS, meaning they reduce symptoms of fight or flight and bring the body back to homeostasis
Act on the body instead of the brain
Reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure
Reduce activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline
How do BBs work?
Bind to the receptors of the heart and other areas of the body stimulated by the dinghy or flight
This bindings blocks the receptors from adrenaline, meaning adrenaline can’t stimulate these receptors
Example of how BBs are used
They are effective in reducing anxiety in a variety of stressful situations
E.g. musicians or athletes may use them were accuracy is very important and requires low stress
Research into BBs by Lockwood (musicians)
Studied over 2000 musicians in major US symphony orchestras
27% reported taking BBs
Those who took BBs felt better about their performance
Positive evaluation of BZs and BBs (5)
Drugs are effective (superior to placebo and better than other antidepressants)
BBs useful in real-life situations
Drugs are easy to use
Drugs require little effort
Cheaper than other methods like therapies
Negative evaluation of BZs and BBs (6)
BZs are highly addictive even in low doses (Ashton recommends taking them for no longer than 4 weeks due to addictive nature)
BZs have withdrawal symptoms
Drugs only treat symptoms
Side effects of BZs include aggressiveness and cognitive impairment
Some studies have linked BBs to diabetes
Effects of drugs last only as long as they are taken
