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Terribletwoes t1_jegvqlu wrote

Reply to comment by SkyARKy in ELI5: If benzodiazepines are CNS depressants, why is it so hard to die from a overdose of them alone? by psychrolute

To add, correct, or be pedantic:

Benzos increase the frequency or likelihood of an inhibitory chloride channel opening. Barbiturates open it.

This is why barbiturate overdoses are far more likely than benzos to result in death - unless another sedative agent is added like alcohol or narcotics. And why we can induce general anesthesia with barbiturates but rarely benzos alone.

-Peds gas passer

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