
Lorazepam
Lorazepam | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chemical Nomenclature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common names | Lorazepam, Ativan, Orfidal, Lorsilan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Substitutive name | Lorazepam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Systematic name | (RS)-7-Chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Membership | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Psychoactive class | Depressant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chemical class | Benzodiazepine | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Lorazepam (trade name Ativan) is a intermediate-duration psychoactive drug of the benzodiazepine class which produces anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, anti-nausea and amnestic effects.
Chemistry
Pharmacology
Benzodiazepines produce a variety of effects by binding to the benzodiazepine receptor site on the GABAA receptor and modulating the function of the GABA receptor, the most prolific inhibitory receptor within the brain. The GABA chemical and receptor system mediates inhibitory (or calming effects) of alprazolam on the nervous system.
Subjective effects
Subjective effects
The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely if ever occur all at once but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.
Physical Effects
The physical effects of Lorazepam can be broken down into 3 components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:
- Sedation - In terms of energy level alterations, Lorazepam is extremely sedating and often results in an overwhelmingly lethargic state. At higher levels, this causes users to suddenly feel as if they are extremely sleep deprived and have not slept for days, forcing them to sit down and generally feel as if they are constantly on the verge of passing out instead of engaging in physical activities. This sense of sleep deprivation increases proportional to dosage and eventually becomes powerful enough to force a person into complete unconsciousness.
- Dizzness
- Loss of motor control
Cognitive Effects
The cognitive effects of Lorazepam can be broken down into 6 components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of Lorazepam is described by many as one of intense sedation and decreased inhibition. It contains a large number of typical depressant cognitive effects.
The most prominent of these cognitive effects generally include:
- Amnesia
- Suppression of anxiety
- Thought deceleration
- Disinhibition
- Suppression of information processing
- Euphoria