Okay so I'm writing here bc my doctor is useless. I had been taking daily klonopin for a year and decided to quit now before its too late (which fool me its already too late) so I was taking almost 1mg daily I started tapering off after christmas in december and I was feeling great tbh I take it in drops so each drop is .10 mg so I started tapering off 2 drops in the morning and 8 at night and cut one every 4 days till I reached 0.

4 days ago I reached 0 and like I said I was feeling good but today the worst fucking feeling ever hit me out of nowhere like my brain is zapping and I'm shaking a lot and feel the worst anxiety ever which foolishly I thought I had "skipped" by tapering off like that. Is it the clonazpeam? This feel like an absolute nightmare. How long does this shit last? 😭 I need help. Tips to survive this.

So the title basically explains the situation I'm in right now. I've been smashing this and life feels so fucking dull but I keep craving it for whatever reason. I attempted to use it to get out of lyrica withdrawal because in the past I've quartered xanaxes for sleep and did maintain sobriety from lyrica for a month before I relapsed. I thought valium could help get me through the worst of wd symptoms within a couple days then quit valium cold turkey but it spiraled out of control. What should I do I order to taper off those dose?

Let’s be clear from the start: no OTC supplement, nootropic, or adaptogen will replicate the full effects of a benzodiazepine (e.g., Xanax, Valium, Klonopin) or a Z-drug like Ambien.

• Benzos directly enhance GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride ion influx and producing instant anxiolysis, muscle relaxation, and sedation that no natural compound can fully match.
• This stack, while powerful, relies on indirect mechanisms—modulating GABA levels, reducing excitatory neurotransmission, and optimizing blood flow—to approximate some aspects of benzos but without full receptor saturation or rapid-onset potency.
• Ethanol is the only true GABA-A agonist here, but its mechanism is messy, affecting NMDA, dopamine, and serotonin receptors.

That said, a well-structured stack leveraging Baicalein, Apigenin, Honokiol, and other potent GABAergics can induce deep relaxation and functional anxiolysis, making it one of the best non-benzo options available.

The Core GABA-A Modulators (The Most Benzo-Like Elements in This Stack)

1. Baicalein Extract Powder (LiftMode BaiCalm)

• One of the strongest plant-based GABA-A modulators.
• Acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of GABA-A receptors, meaning it binds at the same site as benzos (but with lower affinity).
• Supports muscle relaxation, anxiolysis, and sedation without major cognitive impairment.

2. Apigenin (Still Experimenting with the Right Dose for Results…)

• Directly modulates GABA-A receptors, though weaker than Baicalein.
• Reduces cortisol and enhances relaxation, making it ideal for nighttime use.
• Works synergistically with Baicalein and Honokiol, amplifying the stack’s effects.

3. Honokiol (DHH-B Bioactive Honokiol – Magnolia Bark Extract)

• A naturally occurring GABA-A PAM with mild sedative and anxiolytic properties.
• DHH-B (Dihydrohonokiol-B) is a more bioactive, potent form than standard Magnolia Bark extracts.
• Synergizes with Baicalein and Apigenin, forming a trifecta of herbal GABA-A enhancement.

✅ Baicalein + Apigenin + Honokiol (DHH-B) = The Strongest Plant-Based GABA-A Stack Possible

GABAergic Additions: Reinforcing the Core Stack

4. Gabatrol (GABA + Phenyl-GABA + L-Theanine + Bioperine)

• Gabatrol contains bioavailable GABA, L-Theanine, and Phenyl-GABA, which may cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively than standard GABA supplements.
• Bioperine enhances absorption, increasing the overall effect.
• Pairs well with Baicalein, Apigenin, and Honokiol for increased anxiolysis.

5. Etifoxine (If Available)

• A non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug that enhances neurosteroid production (e.g., allopregnanolone), leading to indirect GABA-A potentiation without sedation.
• Used clinically for anxiety disorders in some countries.
• A battle-hardened GABA warrior recommended this as a viable benzo alternative.

Neurovascular & Dopaminergic Support (Preventing Brain Fog)

6. Supporting Supplements

• Nooptronics Depot's Elbam Balm Extract → Likely a cerebral blood flow enhancer rather than a sedative.
• Supercoordinator CO2 → Likely a vasodilator and mild adaptogen like other CO2 extracts.
• Isoquercetin (Isoquotligen?) → Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and dopamine-stabilizing.

Mild GABAergic Synergy (Additional Modulators)

7. Extra Enhancers

• LiftMode Taurine Extract → Weak GABA-A receptor agonist, promotes deep sleep and relaxation.
• LiftMode L-Theanine Extract → Glutamate modulator, enhances calm focus and synergizes with Apigenin.

The Final Push – Ethanol as the Only True GABA-A Agonist

8. Vodka + Gatorade Zero

• Alcohol is the only true GABA-A agonist in this stack.
• It enhances all the other compounds, making their effects stronger and more noticeable.

9. Honorable Mentions

a . Premium Jane Muscimol Gummies (Out of Stock!!!)

• Muscimol (from Amanita Muscaria mushrooms) is a direct GABA-A receptor agonist, meaning it functions like Benzo, more precisely like Ambien.
• It is more sedative than anxiolytic, but it can mimic Ambien if appropriately dosed.
• It would be a powerful addition if available.

b . Olly’s Ultra Products

• Olly's Ultra Sleep and Ultra Stress blend complement this stack, adding extra support.
• Contains adaptogens and calming botanicals without overwhelming sedation.

11. What This Stack WILL Do (If Optimized Well)

✅ Mild-to-Moderate Anxiolysis → Stronger than most OTC supplements, but still not benzo-level.
✅ Muscle Relaxation → Baicalein, Apigenin, and Honokiol all contribute,but can’t match diazepam.
✅ Stress Reduction → Cortisol control via Apigenin, Relora, and L-Theanine.
✅ Improved Sleep Quality → Apigenin, Taurine, and Baicalein promote deeper sleep.

12. What This Stack Will NOT Do

❌ It will NOT induce true benzodiazepine sedation → No direct, high-affinity GABA-A binding.
❌ It will NOT produce rapid anxiolysis like benzos → The onset is slower and more gradual than pharmaceuticals.
❌ It will NOT eliminate panic attacks → This is preventative, not a rescue med.

Best Way to Optimize This Stack for Maximum Effect

13.. Potential Additions

• Kava (Noble strain, water-extracted) → The closest legal substance to benzos, but tolerance builds quickly.
• Agmatine sulfate → NMDA antagonist & GABAergic modulator enhances synergy.
• Myo-Inositol (10-18g high dose) → Clinically shown to reduce anxiety at high doses.
• Ashwagandha (KSM-66) → Reduces cortisol and enhances Baicalein/Apigenin synergy.

14. . Final Verdict: The Closest Thing to a Benzo Without a Prescription

Your stack maximizes GABAergic activity through multiple pathways, but it does NOT function like a benzo. Instead, it creates:

• Mild-to-moderate anxiolysis (Selank, Gabatrol, Apigenin)
• Cortisol reduction (Relora, Ashwagandha, Olly's Ultra Stress)
• Increased GABAergic tone (Baicalein, Honokiol, DHH-B, Taurine)
• Neurovascular support (Elbam Balm, Isoliquiritigenin Quick Dissolve Tablets, Supercoordinator CO2)

However, ethanol remains the strongest GABA-A agonist in this mix. Without it, the stack is simply a highly optimized relaxation formula—not a true benzo replacement.

15. Final Thought & Disclaimer

🔥 Baicalein + Apigenin + Honokiol (DHH-B) is the best natural GABA-A stack available.
🔥 If you could get Etifoxine or Muscimol Gummies, this stack would be significantly stronger.
🔥 For max effect, try Baicalein + Kava + DHH-B + Agmatine.

☀️ Best option of all? Skip the supplements entirely. Exercise, socialize, get sunshine, and take care of yourself.

I've been taking xanax for two months and tapering for about 20 days of that. Before tapering, my dose was about 2mg xanax a day. I'm at about 0.8mg of xanax a day now. I'm mainly having terrible vision, nightmares, and concentration issues. Can't function during my interdose withdrawals mere hours after each xanax dose. I will have access to some klonopin soon, so should I switch to that for tapering or stay on alprazolam? I can't get valium unfortunately and I see that everyone recommends that.

Hey everyone so as I exercise regularly last couple weeks, has helped my mental health a lot. And feel more happy and energy. But also in the evening (after one of my two spaced out prescribed Xanax doses) I notice my heart rate a bit slower like 55 beats per minute. I wonder if the combo of my heart gradually getting cardio fitter and the Xanax central nervous system effects are more visibly showing it’s effect to be able to sometimes slow heart rate. Does anyone else find their benzo medication reduces heart rate?

I’m on a very very very slow taper. Love and Blessings

I have a long history of drug abuse. 5 years ago I relapsed on my DOC heroin and was then introduced to Kratom. It actually helped me for a while, stayed away from the hard stuff but it was just a crutch. After a while it really started messing with my body. I thought was having panic attacks but I don’t think that was it. That being said, I jumped on Valium and then Xanax, probably without even needing it. But either way, here I am a year later trying to get off around 2mg of Xanax a day, I believe that’s a full bar right? That’s how much I was taking. I had an opportunity to come into some Valium and jumped right over and did a quick taper of about 40mg a day down to 10mg a day, and I’m on 5mg after about 2 weeks. I’ve noticed I’m extremely agitated this last week. I’m assuming it’s because the Xanax has finally made its way out of my system. I am taking supplements, gabapentin, Wellbutrin, magnesium and a neuro link mix of L Glutamine, B6, LTyrosine, Gaba, Taurine and 5htp. Also vitamin K2+D3. And NAC. Yah, it’s a a lot. Just hoping for some help, I got through the first week easily and had no issues getting down to 5mg. I felt great actually. I wasn’t sure if something I was taking was causing the agitation. I chocked it up to the cause of no Xanax. I have 5 10mg Valium left and then I’m jumping. I have no choice. I’m just hoping for some help from others. I’ve heard that supplements don’t help, I’ve heard they do. What’s everyone’s go to? The problem is I have an opiate issue also that I have to deal with next. It’s gonna be a struggle but that’s my life. If anyone has any help, would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Coming up on 18 months. Still dealing with a lot of the same symptoms. I still haven't had a window of feeling great, just better, maybe 80-90% at times but definitely not healed. In a nasty wave right now. Tons of head squeezing, DPDR, whole body weakness, pain, fatigue, tunnel vision and trouble focusing, feeling passy outy, like my brain will shut off, just want to curl up in a ball and disappear. Twitches, spasms, shakes, borderline panic attacks the last couple days.

Can't believe I'm still this rough this far out. Maybe it's time for some sort of testing but I don't even know what to check.

Any advice or experience is appreciated very much.

I have been on 2mg of kpins a day with 2mg of Xanax for about 2 years now. I want to stop. I have 75 1mg kpins left and 20 .5mg Xanax. Can I have a decent taper with this? If so, how do I go about it?

I'm in bed right now. Can someone reply , i'm scared of my symptoms

Hot and cold flashes, shivers, tingling feeling in my legs and arm, nausea, strange feeling in my head. The feeling of something bad is going on in my body. So uncomfortable. Its driving me nuts, i'm healthy but my nerves system is so damaged... Its feels like i'm dying fr , or being ill in some way.

Its because of my stress and bad food today that is making me feel this way.

Hi, I was at 3.25 for a good month and decided to jump to 3mg. Well at the beginning of last week I started to get crazy insomnia, I was going on 5-6 days on very low sleep to the point were I am very agitated and my anxiety started to come back. I have a heart murmur and my left chest started to feel uncomfortable after I only slept 4 hours the day before. This morning it was 8am and I still couldn’t sleep and I had a lot of anxiety so I took a 1.5mg extra of diazapem (Valium).

How should I taper this week so I can successfully get to 3.25 again? My doctor also sent me some hydroxyzine 25mg, should I take some while I taper ?

Hey all, I’m new to this sub but I figured this would be a good place to ask questions to other people experienced in benzodiazepine usage and the effects of them long term. I’ve been taking clonazepam for almost 5 years now, originally just .5mg/day, but ramped all the way up to 1mg 3x/day about 12 months ago, as I’ve been switching through antidepressants to try and find a good pharmaceutical and therapeutic solution to my severe OCD, GAD, and Panic Disorder. I definitely feel as though the dosage I’m taking has harmed me in terms of cognitive function. I’m not as quick as I used to be, I’m more forgetful, and I don’t feel as smart as I did before the drug, and it has become a vicious cycle of my OCD obsessing over my brain getting worse and worrying about the long term consequences. I’m planning to taper down as soon as I can get stable on my newest antidepressant. Will I always feel this way in terms of cognition? Or did any of you find that as you got off of your benzodiazepines, your memory and cognitive function improved? I don’t want to feel slowed – like I do now – for the rest of my life, and it’s just a very upsetting prospect to think about for me. I would love to hear your stories and results! Thanks

Are they full windows or partial? How long do they last? Have they improved over time?

https://www.reddit.com/r/benzorecovery/s/AVcp5oJitF

I know both alcohol and benzodiazepines work on the GABA system, but why is it that benzo tapers can take months (or even years) while alcohol withdrawal is usually managed in a matter of days to weeks? Is it just the half-life difference, or is there something else going on with how they affect the brain? Curious to hear from anyone who’s been through it or has insight into the neurobiology behind it.

I’ve been severely depressed and anxious for the past month cause I fucked up big time. Recently was prescribed bromazepam and it’s the only thing that helps me not rot in my bed. I’ve only taken it for a couple of days. Either 3mg in the morning or, or 3mg in the morning and in the evening. My doctor has clearly said this is only for the short term. But what if I can’t proceed without this?

.50 Xanax for 6 months each evening for sleep. Had no idea it would lead to any of this. I’m now done w my taper, 50>.25>.125 over 7 weeks. I’m frankly feeling great but just toward my taper, I started to get a little bit of tinnitus. With that said over the last three weeks, it’s gotten a whole lot worse and a whole lot louder. I’m curious if any of you guys had to deal with this crap?

10 years on 2 mg Klonopin, taper from January to August 2024, and 6 months off this month.

I’ve been meaning to ask about one of my most prominent symptoms throughout my taper that sometimes still pops up. I just have not really necessarily seen anyone else mentioned this, but I figured someone else has probably felt it.

Falling asleep was very difficult throughout my taper because I would get sequences of crazy itches all over random parts of my body. It would be like a little tiny itch next to my nose. As soon as I scratched it, one would pop up on my right foot. And then another one would pop up on the inside of my left thigh. Basically, as soon as I ended up, scratching one, it was like a chain reaction.

So I just would do my spazzing out for like 30 minutes straight of chain reaction itches and then finally, they would fade enough that I could sleep.

Did anyone else have this experience? That was an interesting one.

Tapering off benzos rn (again). Stable on 20mg a day, cannot get a medically supervised taper again unfortunately. Sorry for the essay. 🤣💀If you cba to read, the main part of my question is the last 2 paragraphs.

Only really have access to black market pills. Have access to uk pharma, apparently anyway, 5s and 10s. (Wedinos tested anyway and definitely diazepam)

I want to go super slow now as I want to minimise the effects and continue working. Planning to volumetrically dose now and wondering what would be best for me to disolve my diazepam in?

I know alcohol is probably the best answer but I do not want to use alcohol as I've had problems with drinking in the past and don't want alcohol around. I know its not very soluble in water.

Looking for advice for anything else I could use to make a solution with my diazepam tablets so I can volumetrically dose? I heard it's highly lipid soluble.. so was thinking to use milk maybe? Or MCT Oil?

Thank you , sorry for essay mind is just racing right now.

Got prescribed Xanax daily 0.25x3 maximum. I have taken only one dose of 0.25 daily for three months. Sometimes I would take another 0.25 after more than 6 hours. Today I wanted to try to stop taking it, since I’m trying homeopathic medicine and I’m feeling better, however I’m paranoid about withdrawal symptoms. Do you think it was too little of a dose to experience any? Thank you in advance ❤️‍🩹

I am on Valium at night and Klonopin during the day. The Valium is not lasting until the morning and I am waking up early with horrible internal tremors. I experienced this on Klonopin which is why we switched to diazepam at night. I am trying to find another benzo to possibly replace the Valium as this is horrible. I am in the US and have read about the following three long acting benzos:

clorazepate Flurazepam Quazepam

Does anyone have any experience using any of these for tapering? Thank you!

I was tapering fine and then hit a really bad point and started updosing because I thought what I was experiencing was something else making it harder. I was looking online for help but found this site that says benzos can can anything from autoimmune to Parkinson’s and everything in between. Because I’m at a point where going up doesn’t even help it’s easy for me to belive this stuff especially while your brain is adjusting and can’t think straight. I wanted fresh pair of eyes to just look at it quick. Thank you

https://www.benzoinfo.com/2018/04/28/how-benzodiazepines-mimic-chronic-illness-and-what-to-do-about-it/

I’ve been on a benzo for a little over a year at this point. At first it was as needed then it turned into nightly then it turned into morning and night due to my panic attacks and how bad they were getting (.5mg klonopin 2 times a day). I was in the best spot I’ve been in in a while so I decided it was a good time to start to slowly taper. I was tapering by .125mg alternating between tapering the morning dose one week and the night dose the next. I made it to week 3 and all hell broke loose. I’m really sick, having other issues and feeling the withdrawals effects really bad. Can’t stop sweating, headache, chest pains, body pain, GI issues, could not sleep at all. I started going back into 2+ hour long panic attacks every night again and I was trying to hold my taper and wait it out but I couldn’t. My husband finally convinced to stop the suffering and just take my normal nightly dose. I’m glad he did because I actually slept and didn’t have a panic attack. But I just feel like a massive failure. I feel trapped like I’m never going to get off of this med but last night made me realize I’m not ready to come off yet. 🙁 really just needed to vent and any encouraging words are welcome, thank you!

Hello Community,

So I’ve been working with a psychiatrist who is very accommodating and supportive in my situation. A small bit of background, I had a major depressive episode 3 years back and was put on diazepam 15mg and Zopiclone 15mg daily. It was a gruesome 8 months but I made it though. However I started to buy these meds online in an effort (foolishly I now know) to keep myself from going under again. I finally fessed up to my doctor and have been on a process of getting off - although not a straight line with lots of back sliding.. I’ve successfully come off Zopiclone and was down to 8mg diazepam but the past few months have been very difficult and I’ve kinda lost the map. Both my parents are terminally ill with cancer and at Christmas I ordered more online to see me through a difficult time. I have also been drinking over that time, socially, as a bit of a reprieve and escape. So now I’m here in the new year and feeling a lot of shame and fear that I’ve totally screwed up. My daily intake at the moment is more like 15mg - sometimes up to 30 on bad days. But I still don’t get a lot of relief. Is it possible to rapidly decrease to get back on track or am I now right back to the start? I’m feeling pretty defeated and overwhelmed so any positive thoughts or advice/encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

How can i lose weight i gained on 15mg of valium a day trough last 4 months. Ive gained 15kgs. Its hard for me to walk i get muscle cramps and also im a smoker. I also drink alot of water during the day.

Any heavy users 3 plus years, that got their sleeo back after benzos? Only 3 months in and slightly better than day one but I need hope I beg someone help me

and by as need i mean no more then 1-2 days in a row max, any one had success with this? being dependant on them is ass and id rather never take them again then deal with the hellish w'd . tho im curious if this means down the line if i can use them responsibly ever (yes i know this sounds like addict thinking)

Is vertigo and dizziness a symptom of benzo withdrawal? My head feels weird and sometimes I feel dizzy randomly throughout the day. I have weened down to 0.5mg of Lorazepam daily from 1.5mg daily.

I was on Clonazepam .5mg-1mg (can’t remember precise dose) for a while 5+ years ago. I tapered off.

I was put on Clonazepam (then Librium) again for the past 3-4 years. It was 2mg for a while, then 1mg for a while.

I eventually switched to Librium and have been tapering. I’m very close to getting off it.

QUESTION: How strict do I have to be with intermittent Ativan use after Im off?

I have severe GAD and Panic/Agoraphobia. I use it very sparingly but it helps me in really bad situations (out far from home and massive panic, have to go somewhere/cant miss an event etc.) It’s my as needed medicine.

Im considering not making the jump off Librium if it means I can never take a single dosage of Ativan again. I need it for extreme situations if nothing else, like flying for example.