Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act as depressants. They are prescribed for conditions such as anxiety but are also done recreationally. Some examples of benzodiazepine drugs include alprazolam (xanax), diazepam (valium), and clonazepam (klonopin).
The effects of benzodiazepines include anxiety suppression, sedation, disinhibition, muscle relaxation, amnesia, sleepiness, motor control loss, and euphoria.
While they are relatively non-lethal, benzodiazepines can still lead to addiction and overdose. Overdoses are more likely to occur when combining benzos with other depressants like alcohol or opioids.