Xanax Side Effects

Xanax is prescription tranquilizer which depresses the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol. Xanax has found its way from pharmacies to drug dealers, and is being abused by young, healthy people who want to get high. These club-hopping, twenty-something, casual ``Xannie poppers'' are using the drug in combination with other stimulants, from alcohol to cocaine.

Xanax has depressant side effects on the brain areas that regulate wakefulness and alertness, very similar in side effects to alcohol and sedative barbiturates. They enhance the action of receptors that inhibit central nervous system stimulation, and conversely, inhibit the action of receptors that stimulate the nervous system. In other words, if the nervous system were a car, these drugs help press down the brakes but make it harder to press down on the gas.

Xanax side effects include but are not limited to:

• difficulty concentrating
• "floating" or disconnected sensation
• depressed heartbeat
• depressed breathing
• excessive sleep and sleepiness
• mental confusion and memory loss
• addiction