It’s not uncommon for people who fear public speaking to worry about their performance and use Xanax in advance. They know what does Xanax feel like and how it can be helpful to relax. Imagine being scared of a presentation and taking a pill every time you had to give your best! Wouldn’t it be crazy? Even scary!
Many people who take unprescribed Xanax might not be allowed to take it in the first place! It’s important to realize that just because you might experience relief after consuming Xanax doesn’t mean it won’t have serious side effects later in life.
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What is Xanax, and why do people consume it
Xanax (also known as Alprazolam) is a medication that the FDA has approved to treat anxiety disorders. It has also been noted to be effective in treating panic disorder. It should only be used intermittently, under close medical supervision, and following a strict schedule.
It’s also a common drug that people abuse recreationally because it gives them the euphoric effects of Alprazolam, which are sedating and relaxing. However, Xanax abuse can cause several adverse side effects.
What does Xanax make you feel like
The active ingredients in the drug are alprazolam and diazepam. Their purpose is to calm down and relax the person. In addition, it also lowers anxiety levels. Both these ingredients work together to control panic attacks and regain a relaxed state of mind.
The medication helps in reducing anxiety by calming the brain cells. It influences the neurotransmitters in the brain’s nerve cells, which help send messages between different body parts.
These cells calm down their activity because of the presence of Xanax, thereby reducing anxiety symptoms. Therefore, the medication starts to work when absorbed by the stomach and reaches the bloodstream. It then crosses through different organs before reaching the brain.
As soon as it reaches this destination, it begins to act on different nerve cells in the brain. These nerve cells are connected with different areas of the brain that control anxiety. The drug can either block or stimulate these areas, reducing anxiety symptoms.
When to take Xanax
Some people take Xanax to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression, PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. But are those the only reasons someone might need Xanax? Usually not.
For the people who have experienced trauma or a severe medical condition – such as a heart attack or stroke — the anxious feelings can be overwhelming and debilitating. Xanax might provide quick relief from those emotions for these types of patients for sure.
Not to mention Xanax is prescribed for many symptoms and disorders. Some of the conditions and symptoms it’s used to treat include:
- Anxiety disorders or Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What does Xanax do to the brain
When a person takes a dose of Xanax, it goes right to the brain. Its effects include drowsiness, lethargy, impaired coordination and reflexes, and lack of clear thinking.
The effects also include hallucinations as well as amnesia in some cases. Some people have reported feeling a sense of “separation,” or that their body is going to the doctor or elsewhere.
The effects of Xanax can last for several hours or even a few days. Then, they become less intense but can still be felt for many months after treatment has ceased.
A person continues to feel the effects of Xanax even if they take smaller doses regularly, over and over again. This is one reason people will try to avoid being seen by others when feeling anxious about taking Xanax.
After taking Xanax, your brain will produce less of its natural transmitter and become sedated. Certain effects on the brain include:
- Inability to concentrate on anything
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Analgesia (Pain relief)
- Depression or euphoria depending on the dosage taken
- Psychological symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, etc.
Why Xanax is addictive
Benzodiazepines are not physically addictive in and of themselves but can be psychologically addictive. This is because when people use benzodiazepines over long periods, their brain begins to rely on them. After all, they provide an unconscious level of comfort and a sense of well-being that can help reduce stress and anxiety. Depression has also been linked to long-term benzodiazepines, which is why this is an issue with benzodiazepine use.
The effects of Xanax are also more intense than other benzodiazepines. This means that you may not feel the effects as quickly, making you want to take more and increase the number of pills you take over time. This is most commonly referred to as “craving.”
Side Effects of Xanax
It is a commonly prescribed medication that helps people with anxiety and sleeping disorders. But you have no idea how does Xanax make you feel or what does Xanax make you feel like, and the major side effects of it, which can be life-threatening.
Therefore, one should consider the potential consequences before taking it for treatment. These include the following side effects that you may suffer from.
Changes in toxin levels
Xanax is a highly addictive, anti-anxiety medication that takes effect almost immediately. With each dose you take, your body will depend on the medication, which will be felt in the form of changes in your mood and feelings.
First, you may feel nervous or jittery while the drug is in effect, but this will pass once it takes full effect and starts to build up in your system. You may also feel confused or disoriented when taking Xanax, a sedative effect.
Heat Issues
Generally, people who take Xanax experience drowsiness due to the drug’s sedative effect, but this may not be so if you have been drinking alcohol with it.
The combination of alcohol and Xanax will make your body heat up significantly, and this can give rise to problems if you are sleeping in a warm room.
Sleeping in bed or on the sofa can be problematic since you may feel hot even though the temperature around you is cool. You may also feel flushed when sleeping under these conditions because your body gets too warm.
This is an allergic reaction that should not be confused with the sedative effect of Xanax. If you experience this reaction while taking Xanax, stay cool while you sleep and remove any unnecessary bedsheets or blankets.
Photosensitivity
When you take Xanax, your body will become more sensitive to sunlight. You will often feel the heat and warmth of the sun even when it is cold outside, and doing activities in direct sunlight can also cause you intense discomfort.
This side effect occurs due to mixing alcohol with Xanax, so if you drink alcohol while taking Xanax, you may experience this adverse reaction.
The light sensitivity results from the drug’s sedative effect, so if you get too much sun during daylight hours, be sure to protect yourself from unnecessary sunlight exposure.
If this reaction occurs and affects your appearance or health significantly, call a doctor immediately for treatment advice.
Changes in Behaviour
Xanax can have a powerful effect on your brain, so if you drink alcohol, you may experience some of the drug’s side effects more strongly. One such adverse reaction is the feeling of paranoia or extreme suspiciousness that you may suffer from when taking Xanax and alcohol.
The combination of these two drugs will increase your heart rate and body temperature to dangerous levels while changing your neurological reactions to various sights, scents, sounds, and other cues around you.
This is extremely dangerous because it can cause people to suffer from extreme paranoia or feel uncomfortable in certain situations. For example, you may feel suspicious of a person or persons in a room full of people or even feel paranoid when in the comfort of your own home or bedroom.
Respiratory Problems
If your doctor has prescribed Xanax and you notice some breathing problems such as wheezing, trouble breathing, or a cough, you must contact your doctor immediately.
Respiratory problems include asthma or hypersensitivity to the drug. If you experience these symptoms right after taking Xanax, the drug can be an aggravating factor.
However, if you have been taking the medication for some time with no problems and then start having these side effects of Xanax at one point, it may mean that temperature changes are also occurring in your body.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Some emerging research suggests that people taking high doses of benzodiazepines for an extended period of time may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Xanax and Valium are in this class of drugs, so it is important to take them for a limited time and only as prescribed.
Sleep Disorder
People who take Xanax often report trouble sleeping. Many find they begin using other sedatives or sleeping aids because they find it difficult to sleep when taking Xanax. If you experience problems sleeping when taking Xanax, talk to your doctor about alternatives that won’t cause any distress while asleep.
Clouded Thinking
For some people, taking the anti-anxiety medication Xanax can result in an overdose, causing them to lose their hold on reality. This is referred to be Xanax clouded thinking. It is a highly serious condition that affects many people, and in most cases, the main cause is because people don’t know what does a Xanax high feel like. It begins with numbing out for hours or even days at a period, followed by the person feeling disconnected from reality.
Irritability, Mood Swings, and Aggression
Xanax is a drug that can have serious side effects in those who take them regularly. Some side effects include irritability and mood swings which can sometimes lead to aggressive behavior. The depressant chemicals in Xanax can slow down the central nervous system, affecting the brain and making it difficult to think clearly. This can lead to aggression when people are feeling stressed and angry.
Note: These side effects may be different for each user. People react differently to drugs, and the number of side effects one may experience from Xanax could depend on many factors, including weight, age, health, and even gender.
Healthier Alternatives of Xanax
Like any other medicine on the market, Xanax has its pros and cons. However, if you are health conscious and wish to avoid the addiction, we have effective yet natural alternatives for Xanax:
- Valerian Root: A potent herb, it effectively treats anxiety and insomnia.
- Caffeine: One American study showed caffeine could be an effective treatment for social phobia, with benefits lasting for up to six hours. It can also improve a person’s performance on certain tasks.
- Fresh Air: Research has shown that exposure to polluted air worsens symptoms of depression and increases the risk of suicide.
- Melatonin: Strategies to support sleep function and improve daytime functioning in patients with co-morbid psychiatric and medical disorders.
- Green Tea: Green tea is a great alternative to coffee, as it is a natural stimulant but calms the mind without the jitters or crash of caffeine.
Final thoughts
Xanax interacts with certain medications like cyclobenzaprine, contravallation, and captopril. So, make sure you read your doctor’s prescription information before taking this medication. You should also never drive while taking Xanax, as it can affect your attentiveness and cause dizziness.
Because not many people know what does Xanax high feel like and can get into an accident in such situations. Overall, there’s no doubt Xanax is an effective medication for treating the common diseases we discussed earlier. But keep in mind to limit the usage to avoid potential health issues.