Endogenous Benzodiazepines and Receptor-Related Substances: Implications for Pharmacotherapeutics, Adverse Effects, Abuse, and Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome 

Robert B. Raffa, Diana Amantea

ISBN 978-0-367-40906-7 

Understanding and addressing the current opioid crisis requires knowledge of the endogenous opioids (endorphins and enkephalins), but there is now evidence for a benzodiazepine crisis. Are there endogenous benzodiazepine-like substances – and what do they do? How do they affect the anti-anxiety drugs and their adverse effects? Do they explain the enigmatic prolonged benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome?