078: Dr. Anna Lembke, Bestselling Author, Psychiatrist & Stanford Professor: The Hidden Epidemic Of Benzodiazepines & How It’s Impacting Your Sleep

Benzodiazepines (often referred to as benzos) are often prescribed to treat anxiety, seizures, and sleep disorders. Some of the most common benzos include Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium. In this episode, the Author of “Dopamine Nation” & “Drug Dealer, MD,” Psychiatrist & Stanford professor Dr. Anna Lembke, joins us to discuss the sleep-related drug benzos and why it's called a "Hidden Epidemic." Dr. Lembke notes that between 1990 and 2012, the rate of benzo use increased, leading to widespread addiction and overdose rates. Dr. Lembke discusses her journey as a therapist specializing in addictions and explains the risks associated with long-term benzodiazepine use and the process of helping patients get off these hugely addictive drugs.  Thankfully, the latest neuroscience research has allowed her and others to understand better what's happening in the brain as we become addicted and what happens when we embark on the process of getting off of them. Benzodiazepines cause many physical changes in your body and brain. These can be unpleasant and frightening, but they can also be eased off gradually & responsibly with the support of trained professionals. If you or someone you know is struggling with long-term benzodiazepines, you will want to listen to this episode!