What's new at Benzo Free? What's new in the benzo community? And what's new in research, training, and support? In today's episode, the Benzo Free Podcast returns with a new format and a revitalized outlook for the future. I hope you'll join us.CHAPTERS0:00:00 Our New Format0:01:34 Setbacks & Honesty0:05:29 Happy to Be Back0:06:25 the "uneven" podcast0:10:47 Podcast Frequency0:11:59 Community Updates0:12:38 Raw, Unscripted, & Flawed0:13:28 How Are You Doing?0:16:11 Benzo Peer...

Dr. Christy Huff was a friend, a colleague, and giant in the benzo community. What effect does this loss have on our community? On our colleagues? On ourselves? How do we process this event and continue to move forward? In today’s episode, we first pay tribute to Dr. Christy Huff and discuss what her passing means to each of us. We then catch up the past few months, share some personal insights, discuss community news, and even introduce a brand-new podcast — “uneven.” Video ID:...

A benzo peer support training class can be quite educational — especially for the instructor. In early November, I had the pleasure of teaching a sold-out course to individuals with a wide mix of backgrounds. It was quite illuminating. In today’s episode, I share some insights from teaching peer support training. I also discuss my response to some constructive criticism, look at our focus here at Easing Anxiety, and wish everyone a very happy holiday season. Video ID:...

Meet Dr. Doryn Chervin. Hear her benzo story. Her background in public health. Her take on benzos, BIND, setbacks, research, doctors, healing, the benzo community, and what has been going on behind the scenes at Easing Anxiety. D...

It’s 3:00am. Sleep is elusive. Collective thoughts converge on the manic mind. So, why not record a podcast? Join D as he ponders benzos and BIND, fatigue and fear, motivation, meditation, gratitude, and grace. All from the comfort of his own bed. Video ID: BFP127 CHAPTERS0:00:00 It’s 3:14 am0:02:21 Struggling Lately0:05:30 Podcast Delays 0:07:08 Benzo Peer Training0:07:51 Overwhelm & Fatigue0:09:02 New Content Coming… 0:10:35 Coping with Insomnia0:13:38 Missed Y’all 0:14:34 Ruminations...

Benzos and grief, diet, and distension. Benzos and pets, laughter, and levity. Benzos and indecision and lack of memory. Benzos and research, internet, and advocacy. So many topics, so much to discuss. In today’s episode, we dive into our mailbag again to hear from you. D shares some comments, answers some questions, and even reads some critical feedback. Join us for a few insights and friendly discussion.  Video ID: BFP126 CHAPTERS00:00 INTRODUCTION02:25 The Gift of Caregiving04:13 Our New...

What’s new at Easing Anxiety? What’s new in the benzo community? What’s new in the world of BIND? And what should someone new to benzos do if they’re just getting started? Join D for an off-script conversation this lazy Sunday morning.

Join the Benzodiazepine Survey Research Team for a lively roundtable discussion about their research, the findings from the survey, and their latest paper which formally introduces the term benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction, or BIND. Benzodiazepine use and discontinuation are associated with nervous system injury and negative life effects that continue after discontinuation, according to the article “Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A...

Naftal Benisty is the creator and host of the podcast, “Benzo Tired.” A social worker by trade, Naftal’s personal experience with kindling, seizures, and multiple prescriptions for benzodiazepines steered him into the world of benzo advocacy.In our conversation, Naftal shares his benzo story and the reasons he decided to start a podcast. We also talk about seizures, the indefinite hold, BIND, deprescribing guidelines, medical education, remaining positive, and so much more.Video ID:...

Personality changes. Loss of ability. Loss of confidence. Loss of self. These are common in benzo withdrawal and BIND, and yet we rarely talk about them. What does this look like? What are its causes? And most of all, what can we do about it?In today’s episode, we explore the loss of self during benzo withdrawal. We also respond to a question on tinnitus, share a comment on the benefits of nature, and hear a benzo story from New...

Road Trip to the Rx Summit in Atlanta (Final) / Presentation Cancellation, Vacation Reschedule, Benzo Community Activity, Social Media Effects, and Rollin’ with the Changeshttps://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-final-lifes-detours-bfp121 (https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-final-lifes-detours-bfp121)Podcast ID: BFP121Chapters00:00 Which Day Is It?00:19 Presentation / Vacation04:59 What to Talk About?05:48 Benzo Community Activity06:15 Social Media Effects08:30 Promoting...

Road Trip to the Rx Summit in Atlanta (Day 5-6) / 1st Day of Rx Summit, Small Victories, Managing Benzo Limitations, BIND, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Urinary Difficulties, Fear of Heights, and Finding Ways to Do Thingshttps://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-5-6-conference-day-1-symptom-management-bfp120 (https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-5-6-conference-day-1-symptom-management-bfp120)Video ID: BFP120Chapters00:00 Welcome to Days 5-600:28 Day 5 Recap01:31 First...

Road Trip to the Rx Summit in Atlanta (Day 4) / Nashville, TN to Alpharetta, GA / Driving and Flying Working Around Limitations, Emotions and Social Media, Setting Boundarieshttps://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-4-limitations-and-boundaries-bfp119 (https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-4-limitations-and-boundaries-bfp119)Video ID: BFP119Chapters00:00 Welcome to Georgia02:16 Managing My Symptoms 102:46 Hotel Room Tour04:51 Driving in the Rai05:42 Managing My...

Road Trip to the Rx Summit in Atlanta (Day 3) / Branson, MO to Nashville, TN / Back Home in Missouri, People with Crosses on the Roadside, Getting Out There and Doing Thingshttps://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-3-people-on-the-roadside-bfp118 (https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-3-people-on-the-roadside-bfp118)Video ID: BFP118Chapters00:00 Welcome to Opryland01:11 Back Home in Missouri03:27 Roadside Crosses: Preface07:29 Roadside Crosses: Interview09:24 Roadside...

Road Trip to the Rx Summit in Atlanta (Day 2) / Salina, KS to Branson, MO / Benzos and indecision, the loss of confidence, life becoming small, and appreciation of the little things.https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-2-benzos-confidence-and-indecision-bfp117 (https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-2-benzos-confidence-and-indecision-bfp117)Video ID: BFP117Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Branson01:24 Drive Status01:58 Confidence, Indecision, and Benzos07:10 Life Becoming...

Road Trip to the Rx Summit in Atlanta (Day 1) / Denver to Salina, Kansas / Series introduction, why I like road trips, a friendly voice. https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-1-series-intro (https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/rx-road-trip-day-1-series-intro)Video ID: BFP116Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Day 1 00:47 About the Road Trip 02:45 Why I Like Road Trips 03:33 Our New Social Feeds 04:31 Human Connection 07:33 A Friendly Voice 09:11 I Hope You’ll Join Me Resources The...

David Powers is an artist, filmmaker, PhD candidate in psychology, and founder of Powers Benzo Recovery Coaching. After a severe car accident, David became dependent on diazepam. Now benzo-free,...

David Powers is an artist, filmmaker, PhD candidate in psychology, and founder of Powers Benzo Recovery Coaching. After a severe car accident, David became dependent on diazepam. Now benzo-free,...

What happens when COVID meets BIND? What happens when someone in protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal gets long COVID? Does it set off a wave? Does it make their benzo symptoms worse? Tune in for answers and more. In today’s episode, we explore COVID and benzodiazepine withdrawal (BIND). We also look at endogenous benzodiazepines, hear two benzo stories of success, and visit the launch of our new website and social media feeds. I hope you find it helpful....

What can we do about tinnitus? What about brain lock? What about insomnia? Does alcohol help? Can flumazenil fix this? What about overwhelm and isolation? These and other questions are discussed as we dive deep into the mailbag.In today’s episode, we explore the mailbag — in particular, your YouTube comments. We also catch up on D’s health, progress with the workgroup, some exciting conference news, and much more. It’s good to be back and we’re so glad you tuned...

The Z-drugs: Ambien. Lunesta. Sonata. What are these? Are they benzos? Hypnotics? When did they hit the market? Can they cause dependence? Withdrawal? BIND? These questions and more will be discussed in our feature today. In today’s episode, we focus on nonbenzodiazepines, or Z-drugs. How are they like benzodiazepines, and how are they different? We also answer some questions about dosage, duration, and rebounding and we hear a story of struggle from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The Z-drugs: Ambien. Lunesta. Sonata. What are these? Are they benzos? Hypnotics? When did they hit the market? Can they cause dependence? Withdrawal? BIND? These questions and more will be discussed in our feature today. In today’s episode, we focus on nonbenzodiazepines, or Z-drugs. How are they like benzodiazepines, and how are they different? We also answer some questions about dosage, duration, and rebounding and we hear a story of struggle from Tulsa, Oklahoma....

Dr. Anna Lembke is our guest today — and trust me — you don’t want to miss this one! We discuss benzodiazepine tapering, substitution, the dopamine cycle, flumazenil, anxiety, social media, finding a doctor and so much more. Anna Lembke, MD is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, and an internationally recognized leader in addiction medicine, treatment, and education. A best-selling author, she has...

Dr. Anna Lembke is our guest today — and trust me — you don’t want to miss this one! We discuss benzodiazepine tapering, substitution, the dopamine cycle, flumazenil, anxiety, social media, find...