Diazepam (Valium®)

Diazepam has a calming, relaxing, antispasmodic, anti-anxiety and sleep-inducing effect.

Taking benzodiazepines increases the effectiveness of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor. This triggers sedative (calming), hypnotic, anxiolytic (anxiety-relieving), anticonvulsant (anticonvulsant) and muscle-relaxing effects in the body. Benzodiazepines have a depressant effect on the central nervous system. The flow of information in the brain between the brain cells (neurons) is thereby reduced / disturbed and feelings and perceptions are dampened.

The breakdown of the individual active ingredients of benzodiazepines in the body is age-dependent and therefore varies from person to person.

Onset of effect

after approx. 0.5 - 1.5 hours. The effect is rather late. This means that there is a risk of dosing too early.

Duration of action

Up to 24 hours. After-effects may occur during up to 48 hours.

Swallowed (also ground and snorted)

Light: 2.5 - 5 mg
Medium: 5 - 10 mg
Strong: 10 - 20 mg

‍

• When consuming benzodiazepines, mixed consumption should be avoided!
• Mixing with other downers (alcohol, medication, GHB/GBL, heroin, opioids) can lead to dangerous interactions and an intensification of the effect and there is a risk of respiratory depression up to respiratory paralysis, a drop in blood pressure, a coma and, in the worst case, can lead to death!
• Mixed use with uppers (cocaine, MDMA, amphetamine, etc.) can lead to high stress on the body, resulting in the risk of circulatory collapse. If benzodiazepines are taken at the same time, the effect of the uppers may be delayed (up to 3 hours later!). Therefore, there is a risk of taking the upper too early and causing an overdose.
• Due to the mixed use of benzodiazepines with other psychoactive substances, there have been several deaths among adolescents and young adults in Switzerland in the last two years.

• If medicines are obtained on the black market or on the internet and not from a pharmacy/medical facility, the contents are unclear. Have the medicine tested for the exact ingredients in a drug check!
• Do not rely on dosage information from colleagues who regularly use benzodiazepines. Due to habituation or dependence, their doses can be much higher and fatal for new users.
• Blisters of counterfeits may look identical to the original packaging. 
• The simultaneous consumption of depressant substances such as alcohol, ketamine, GHB/GBL, nitrous oxide, opioids and/or other benzodiazepines is dangerous as there is an increased risk of vomiting and unconsciousness. The risk of suffocation is high!

In the case of diazepam obtained from a legal source (doctor or pharmacy), we are not aware of any extenders. If medication is obtained on the black market or online and not from a pharmacy/medical facility, the contents are unclear. Have the medication tested for the exact ingredients in a drug check!