Main description:

Discusses endogenous benzodiazepine-like substances - what do they do, do they affect the anti-anxiety drugs and their adverse effects?
Presents information on the enigmatic prolonged benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
Describes the compounds acting at the BDZ binding sites, both exogenous (classical BDZ drugs and BDZ from food and plants) and endogenous (endozepines)
Assesses the putative interactions in physiology, pathology and pharmacology of the compounds acting at the BDZ binding sites

Contents:

1 Introduction 2 Benzodiazepines and Related Substances: Chemistry 3 Central Benzodiazepine Receptors: Structure and Function 4 Benzodiazepines and Related Substances: Therapeutic Uses and Problems 5 Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptors 6 The search for Endogenous Benzodiazepines in Humans 7 Evidence for Presence in Non-human Animals 8 Biologically Active Phytochemicals Having Benzodiazepine-like Actions 9 Benzodiazepines, Flavonoids and GABA 10 The Microbiome and Benzodiazepines: A Connection? 11 Anxiety, Sleep, and Benzodiazepines 12 The Effects of Benzodiazepines on Memory 13 Naturally Occurring and Exogenous Benzodiazepines in Epilepsy: An Update 14 Impact of Endogenous Benzodiazepines on Tolerance, Abuse, or Withdrawal