2/15/25
A review of studies reveals that benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Clonazepam and Diazepam affect sleep architecture, increasing NREM(Non-Rapid-Eye-Movement), and decreasing REM(Rapid-Eye-Movement) sleep. Reductions in REM sleep can lead to deficits in concentration, working memory, and weight gain.
Researchers have also discovered that norepinephrine is essential for the brain's detoxification process. Norepinephrine level changes occur during NREM, a critical sleep stage for memory, learning, and cognitive functions. When six mice were treated with zolpidem, a sleep medication, they fell asleep faster but experienced a drop in cerebrospinal fluid flow secondary to norepinephrine fluctuations, indicating decreased brain waste clearing. This suggests that BZDs inhibition of norepinephrine transmission potentially interferes with the brain's ability to flush out toxins.
By: Evan Redmond, Pharm.D.
Sources:
1. de Mendonça FMR, de Mendonça GPRR, Souza LC, Galvão LP, Paiva HS, de Azevedo Marques Périco C, Torales J, Ventriglio A, Castaldelli-Maia JM, Sousa Martins Silva A. Benzodiazepines and Sleep Architecture: A Systematic Review. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2023;22(2):172-179. doi: 10.2174/1871527320666210618103344. PMID: 34145997.
2. Norepinephrine-mediated slow vasomotion drives glymphatic clearance during sleep Natalie L. Hauglund1,2,3 ∙ Mie Andersen1 ∙ Klaudia Tokarska1 Elsevier.
