Will Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use Decrease the Amount of GABA in the Brain or Not?

JasonP

Member
Author
Dec 17, 2015
1,762
Tinnitus Since
6/2006
Okay, from what I understand the benzodiazepines like Xanax and klonopin bind to the GABAa receptor and do not create GABA but increase the affect of the GABA receptors by allowing more negative chloride ions into the cell which will cause inhibitory functions on neurons. However, GABA is needed as well as the benzodiazepines on the receptors or the negative chloride ions will not go in even if the benzodiazepine is on the receptor. Of course, this is just my understanding and could be wrong but that is what I gathered from watching this video. My question is, will long term benzodiazepine use decrease the amount of GABA in the brain or have no effect on the GABA whatsoever? I am not sure. Can anyone give a legit scientific source to answer this question?

 

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