Muscle relaxers are prescription medications used to alleviate muscle spasms, tension, and musculoskeletal pain. While they can provide relief for conditions like back pain or injuries, they do not produce a euphoric “high” similar to recreational drugs. Instead, they commonly cause sedative side effects, which might be misinterpreted as an altered state. Understanding how these medications work and their associated risks is important for anyone using them.
How Muscle Relaxers Affect the Body
Muscle relaxers primarily influence the central nervous system (CNS) to reduce muscle activity. Some types, known as antispasmodics, alter nerve conduction in the CNS to decrease muscle spasms. They may enhance the effects of neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits nerve transmission, or suppress excitatory neurotransmitters.
Other muscle relaxers, called antispastics, act more directly on the spinal cord or muscle cells to improve muscle tightness and involuntary spasms. These mechanisms lead to a calming or sedating effect that helps relax muscles and alleviate pain. Common sedative effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue.
These effects, including lightheadedness and blurred vision, result from the medication’s CNS depression. While they can create a feeling of an altered state, this is distinct from a recreational high.
Understanding Misuse and Associated Dangers
Misuse of muscle relaxers involves taking them in ways other than prescribed, such as taking more than the recommended dose, taking them without a prescription, or combining them with other substances. Some individuals may misuse these medications to enhance feelings of euphoria or dissociation, often by exacerbating their sedative effects. This practice can lead to severe and dangerous outcomes.
Overdosing on muscle relaxers can cause significant health problems, including respiratory depression (dangerously slowed breathing) or central nervous system depression, leading to lethargy and confusion. Other overdose symptoms can include hallucinations, seizures, cardiac arrest, coma, or death.
Mixing muscle relaxers with other CNS depressants, particularly alcohol or opioids, amplifies these dangers. Their combined effect can result in extreme dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, low blood pressure, fainting, memory problems, and increased overdose risk. This combination can also strain the liver.
Physical Dependence and Withdrawal
While not all muscle relaxers are classified with high addiction potential like opioids, prolonged or high-dose misuse can lead to physical dependence. Physical dependence means the body has adapted to the medication and requires it to function normally. If stopped abruptly after dependence develops, withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Withdrawal symptoms can vary in intensity and duration depending on the specific muscle relaxer, dosage, and duration of use. Common symptoms include rebound muscle spasms, increased muscle pain and stiffness, anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. More severe cases can involve tremors, agitation, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. These symptoms typically begin within 12 to 72 hours after the last dose and may peak within the first few days.
Safe Use and When to Seek Help
Safe use of muscle relaxers means strictly following a doctor’s instructions, including prescribed dosage and duration. This minimizes side effects and ensures effective treatment. Do not share medication or take someone else’s prescription.
Avoid self-medication and discuss any concerns or side effects with a healthcare provider. If you suspect misuse, dependence, or addiction in yourself or someone else, seek professional help. Resources for substance abuse treatment can provide guidance and support for safe discontinuation and recovery.