When you’re suffering from anxiety, it’s completely normal to feel as though your world is upside-down. Everything feels different and you don’t know what to do about it. If you have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, or social anxiety, then you may have also been prescribed a benzodiazepine like Xanax for your symptoms. If you are taking Xanax (also known as alprazolam) either on a regular basis or just once in a while for short-term use, you might be wondering about the side effects of this medication. In particular, does Xanax make you hungry? This article will answer that question and others about how this drug can impact your life when used responsibly.
Does Xanax Make You Hungry?
It is important to note that in some cases, Xanax does make you hungry. This can be because your body needs more calories when you are on Xanax. Generally, however, the answer is no. Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication that can be used to treat anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic attacks without causing weight gain or dependency on this medication.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is short for alprazolam. Alprazolam is prescribed to people with panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, and social phobias. This drug is a benzodiazepine, which is a class of drugs that have a variety of different uses but are often prescribed for anxiety. This drug works by slowing down the activity of your brain and increasing GABA levels in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps us feel calm and reduces anxiety. This medication can be helpful in the short term but long-term use of Xanax can lead to dependence, addiction, and a variety of other side effects. Xanax is a controlled substance, which means it’s a drug that has the potential to be misused and abused. When it is misused, it can cause serious harm to a person’s health and life. When used properly and under medical supervision, it can be a helpful drug for people who experience anxiety-related disorders.
How Does Xanax Work?
- It works by blocking the action of a chemical messenger in the brain called serotonin.
- This chemical messenger is released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerve cells.
- Dopamine is another chemical messenger that goes up and down like serotonin.
- When you take Xanax, that chemical messenger known as dopamine is blocked and you feel less anxious and more relaxed.
- This makes it easier for you to get a good night’s sleep, which helps with your mood and energy levels throughout the day.
- You can take Xanax up to three times a day.
- When you first start taking it, you may feel a little bit dizzy and nauseous because your brain doesn’t have the chemical messenger it needs to respond normally to chemicals or feel nauseous.
- This is called an “antidote effect”.
- Antidote effects usually last about 30 minutes and wear off quickly, so don’t worry about them too much or you might become anxious again.
- It can also make you gain weight because of the way your body reacts to the drug, but this only happens when you take Xanax over a long period of time (more than two weeks).
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, don’t take Xanax without checking with your doctor first, because there are risks for both mother and baby if you do (see below).
- Side effects include drowsiness (especially when you first start taking it), dizziness, nausea, and stomach upset.
Short-Term Effects Of Xanax
- The drug has some short-term effects
- These effects include:
- These effects can include:
- The short-term effects of Xanax can include:
- The short-term effects of Xanax can be very similar to the following side effects:
- Short-term side effects of Xanax may include the following symptoms or signs:
- Short-term side effects of Xanax may include the following symptoms or signs:
- A person who experiences one or more short-term side effects (s) from Xanax should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Long-Term Effects Of Xanax
- The drug has some long-term effects
- These effects include:
- These effects can include:
- The long-term effects of Xanax can include:
- The long-term side effects of Xanax may include the following symptoms or signs:
- Long-term side effects of Xanax may include the following symptoms or signs:
- A person who experiences one or more long-term side effects (s) from Xanax should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Is Xanax Safe?
1. Xanax is an extremely addictive drug.
2. Xanax is extremely dangerous when mixed with other drugs or alcohol.
3. If you are a young person, it is highly recommended that you do not take Xanax.
4. It is highly recommended that you do not take Xanax if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
5. It is highly recommended that you do not take Xanax if you have been prescribed another medication for depression, anxiety, blood pressure, or heart disease and the two medications interact in a dangerous manner (e.g., they cause severe drowsiness).
6. It is highly recommended that you do not take Xanax if you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or any mental illness (e.g., depression, anxiety).
7. It is highly recommended that you do not take Xanax if you are under the age of 18.
8. It is highly recommended that you do not take Xanax if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
9. It is highly recommended that you refrain from taking Xanax if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or thinking about becoming pregnant.
10. It is highly recommended that you refrain from taking Xanax if you have been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition (e.g., depression, or anxiety).
Conclusion
In order to treat anxiety, Xanax works by slowing down your central nervous system and increasing GABA levels in the brain. However, this medication can cause a variety of side effects including anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, and decreased sex drive. When taken for short periods of time, this drug is considered safe. However, if you need to take it for longer than a few weeks, it is best to seek help from a medical professional.
