Yes, you can get high on Midazolam. Midazolam, or commonly known by the brand name Versed, is a benzodiazepine. Versed is mainly only used in clinical settings as sedation before procedures (minor surgery, dental work, or other medical procedures); it has to be monitored by a specialist like an anesthesiologist when given because it can sometimes cause severe breathing problems. Midazolam causes patients to be sleepy and feel less anxious and they are temporarily unable to form new memories. Midazolam is usually given by IV, but it can also be given in the muscle, by a nose spray or through the cheek. Depending on which way it is administered, Midazolam usually starts working very quickly, and the effects of it can last anywhere from one to six hours. Some of the common side effects include sleepiness, reduced respiration, and low blood pressure. According to the DEA, Midazolam, like all other benzodiazepines, is a Schedule IV drug, and even though they have medical uses, Schedule IV drugs have a high potential for misuse. Versed is listed on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, and it is highlighted as being one of the safest most effective in a health system. Research shows that Midazolam is two to four times as potent as diazepam or Valium.
What is Midazolam Used For?
In the United States even though Midazolam can also be used to treat seizures, it is mainly used in clinical settings only, so obtaining a prescription for this medication is not likely to happen. You can get high on any benzodiazepine. They have a high potential for misuse, dependence, and/or addiction. Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, sleep problems, seizures, and/or drug and alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system by increasing the effects of the GABA neurotransmitter. This makes a person feel calm, which leads to a state of relaxation or sedation. A lot of people experience euphoria or pleasure when taking benzodiazepines, this is why people can become easily addicted. Benzodiazepines are safe and effective if used correctly and on a short-term basis only, but long-term abuse of benzodiazepines is likely to lead to an addiction. The feelings of relaxation, sedation, and wellbeing that benzodiazepines produce make them particularly addictive, especially Versed, due to the high feeling of euphoria it produces. According to the Harm Reduction Journal:
Reports from Thailand suggest that a growing number of people who inject drugs (IDU) are now injecting Midazolam, a legal benzodiazepine with potent amnestic and ventilatory depressant effects. We observed a high rate of Midazolam injection among Thai IDU. Midazolam injection was strongly associated with polysubstance use and binge drug use and was most used in combination with both opiates and methamphetamines. Our findings suggest that Midazolam injection has become increasingly common within Thailand. Evidence-based approaches for reducing harms associated with Midazolam injection are needed. (NIH)
It would be difficult for someone to become addicted to Midazolam due to it mainly only being used in a clinical setting, however, it is possible. It can be difficult to tell if someone is abusing Midazolam, but some of the common side effects include:
- Grogginess
- Drowsiness
- Severe lack of coordination
- Weakness
- Slurred speech
- Memory loss
- Slowed or difficulty breathing
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Headaches
Chronic exposure to Midazolam or any other benzodiazepine, can change your brain chemistry and lead to dependence and addiction within a matter of weeks. Once a person develops an addiction to Versed, both uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms can occur if the medication is stopped abruptly. Abruptly stopping can potentially cause fatal seizures, so it is best and safest to detox off Midazolam in a medically supervised environment.
Rehab for Benzodiazepine Dependence
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