When benzo symptoms hit us, we call it a "wave." When they ease, we call it a "window." But how do we trust a window after a rough wave? Join me as we explore the benefits of pastimes, passions, and positivity as they relate to benzos and BIND.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 Welcome

0:00:38 Been Away for a While

0:01:46 I’m Doing Better

0:02:37 It's Sunday, Football Day

0:03:31 Bing Part of a Sport or Pastime

0:09:48 How Things Are Here

0:12:25 Nerve Pain Update

0:14:40 Trusting Our Windows

0:15:53 Celebrating Survival (10 years)

0:18:18 Not Knowing What Fixes Our Symptoms

0:19:44 Waves Teach Us & Strengthen Us

0:20:45 Brief Research Update

0:21:36 Bathroom Break (Warts & All)

0:23:02 Surviving the Lows in Life

0:24:50 Getting Back on the Road

0:25:35 You are the Foundation of All of This

0:26:44 Thanks for Sticking with Me

0:27:16 Our Next Step / My Hiatus

0:28:30 Building the "uneven community"

0:29:34 Teaser for "uneven community" (Launch Oct. 1st)

0:34:41 I Appreciate You All

0:35:14 Signing Off

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Monday, September 16, 2024

— LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com/benzofree

— EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com

— YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx

— X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

This podcast is dedicated to those who struggle with side effects, dependence, and withdrawal from benzos, a group of drugs from the benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine classes, better known as anti-anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, sedatives, and minor tranquilizers. Their common brand names include Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Valium, and Xanax.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The Benzo Free podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

Benzo Free Theme Music

— TITLE: Walk in the Park

— ARTIST: Neil Cross

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Benzo Free Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

Today, I am 10 years benzo free! Wow! Let's take a look back at the struggles, the symptoms, the successes, and especially the stuff I learned along the way. NOTE: This episode reviews 10 years of benzos & BIND which may be distressing to some.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 i'm now 10 years benzo free

0:02:23 my benzo story: taper

0:04:44 my benzo story: first few years

0:05:49 my benzo story: community work

0:07:43 my benzo story: research

0:09:51 my benzo story: ea, uneven, & community

0:11:37 i've been busy / BIND / thanks

0:12:43 i'm still here / most people heal

0:15:04 my symptoms

0:16:31 anxiety symptoms

0:18:48 behavioral symptoms

0:19:49 suicidal thoughts

0:21:41 cognitive symptoms

0:22:40 excitability symptoms

0:23:49 perception symptoms

0:24:50 sleeping symptoms

0:26:12 social symptoms

0:28:07 abdominal & gastrointestinal symptoms

0:29:38 so many symptoms have improved

0:31:01 eyes, ears, nose, & mouth symptoms

0:32:16 head & neck symptoms

0:34:43 heart & lung symptoms

0:35:37 muscular symptoms

0:37:23 nerve sensations

0:39:06 immune & endocrine symptoms

0:40:36 i am unique, rare case

0:41:20 what i've learned / managing the fear

0:44:04 1) responsibility

0:46:39 2) positivity

0:52:28 3) activity

0:54:50 4) kindness

0:58:30 5) acceptance

1:01:21 celebrating 10 years benzo free

1:04:08 thank you

REFERENCES

Benzo Free Podcast: Managing the Fear (Part I)

— https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/managing-the-fear-of-benzo-withdrawal-part-1-bfp003

— 3-part series on managing the fear of benzo withdrawal.

BIND (Benzo) Symptoms - 14 Categories

— https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/bind-symptoms

— Psychological and Physical symptoms of benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal.

Suicide Prevention Resources

— https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide

— Resources for individuals dealing with suicidal thoughts.

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Monday, August 19, 2024

— LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com/benzofree

— EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com

— YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx

— X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

This podcast is dedicated to those who struggle with side effects, dependence, and withdrawal from benzos, a group of drugs from the benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine classes, better known as anti-anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, sedatives, and minor tranquilizers. Their common brand names include Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Valium, and Xanax.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The Benzo Free podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

Benzo Free Theme Music

— TITLE: Walk in the Park

— ARTIST: Neil Cross

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Benzo Free Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

It's been a while, let's catch up. In today's episode, we discuss managing stress in the modern world, finding new perspectives on our symptoms, recent and future benzodiazepine research, the upcoming ea community, and more. I hope you'll join us.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 10th attempt recording

0:01:15 my recent absence

0:02:13 funeral and memorial

0:02:55 ongoing nerve pain

0:03:45 fire, smoke, and recording

0:04:48 changing my perspective

0:07:40 upcoming 10th anniversary

0:08:41 where to find our podcasts

0:09:11 heightened anxiety and stress

0:09:27 stress, heat, and forest fires

0:10:30 stress, jobs, and employees

0:11:03 stress and politics

0:13:11 listening to one another

0:15:02 stress and ai

0:15:48 ai, easing anxiety, and human connections

0:17:52 managing the anxiety

0:19:05 why do research?

0:22:44 asam deprescribing guidelines

0:25:57 pilot benzo clinic

0:27:13 creating the ea community

0:28:28 simplifying the community

0:31:04 path to a better life

0:32:20 yes, i've said this before

0:34:02 membership site

0:36:04 helping each other get through this

0:38:01 subscribe and check us out

0:38:49 trying to wrap this up

0:41:34 we get better

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Thursday, August 1, 2024

— LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com/benzofree

— EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com

— YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx

— X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

This podcast is dedicated to those who struggle with side effects, dependence, and withdrawal from benzos, a group of drugs from the benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine classes, better known as anti-anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, sedatives, and minor tranquilizers. Their common brand names include Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Valium, and Xanax.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The Benzo Free podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

Benzo Free Theme Music

— TITLE: Walk in the Park

— ARTIST: Neil Cross

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Benzo Free Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).