Many of us have successfully managed to get past the acute opioid withdrawal phase, only to realize that the struggle was far from being over.
Next comes the second phase of withdrawal, which is called Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS).
To accurately and simply define PAWS, let’s break down the meaning of each individual word:
- Post – “After”
- Acute – “Very serious or dangerous; requiring serious attention or action”
- Withdrawal – “The discontinuance of administration or use of a drug”
- Syndrome – “A group of symptoms”
Simply put, Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur after an individual has gone through the serious withdrawal phase induced by the discontinuation of drugs, which results from a combination of damage to the nervous system caused by alcohol or drugs and the psychosocial stress of coping with life without drugs or alcohol.
One of my favorite therapies for treating post-acute withdrawal symptoms naturally is the use of herbal medicine.
In this specific episode, I cover three of the best herbal teas that are like natural versions of benzodiazepines, a class of anxiolytic drugs including Klonopin, Valium, Xanax, and Ativan.
These natural benzo-like herbal teas may be useful in the treatment of PAWS, anxiety, depression, pain, muscle tension, insomnia, stomach issues, and perhaps even other symptoms as well.
Here are the main topics discussed in this episode:
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
- PAWS symptoms
- PAWS timeline
- Benzos for PAWS, anxiety, insomnia, pain, depression, and more
- Benzos mechanism of action (increasing GABA)
- Negative aspects of benzos such as side effects and addiction potential
- Difficulty getting prescribed benzos for PAWS
- People that want to treat PAWS symptoms 100% naturally
- Mother Nature supplies us with many herbs that act like natural benzos
- Natural benzo herbs are those that increase GABA levels in the brain
- Natural benzo herbs are non-addictive, do not cause dependence, and usually have no side effects or negative consequences that result from taking them
- Chamomile as a natural benzo herb by increasing GABA
- Overview of the GABA neurotransmitter
- GABA deficiency symptoms
- GABA benefits
- GABA for anxiety, depression, restlessness, insomnia, muscle tension, irritability, and pain relief
- Other chamomile benefits beyond being a GABA-increasing natural benzo herb
- Passionflower as a natural benzo tea
- Passionflower overview and benefits
- Other passionflower mechanisms of action beyond GABA elevation (MAO inhibitors, etc)
- Passionflower plus clonidine shown to be more helpful for opioid withdrawal symptoms than clonidine alone
- Lemon balm as a natural benzo tea
- Lemon balm overview
- Lemon balm benefits
- Additional mechanisms of action and health benefits plus PAWS symptoms reduction in addiction to increasing GABA naturally
- Why I love using natural benzo herbs in tea form
- How to make natural benzo herbal tea
- Using herbal medicine for PAWS, recovery, and life in general
Resources mentioned in the outro of this episode:
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Thanx Matt Finch for the awesome podcast. Im sipping passionflower tea now (already big fan of really, really strong camomile tea).
I wanted to add one more tea, though – motherwort – I think that’s the king of “benzo like” herbs. The first time I drank it it was almost like anesthesia. Absolute best for withdrawal induced insomnia and anxiety (to be taken when the most acute phase is over – if you need to be in a clinic, of course). Before motherwort I thought it’s impossible to fall asleep without (real) benzos. I built up a tolerance very quickly though, but it was invaluable at that time for me. Here in Bulgaria the herb is called “Devil’s mouth”(because of the petals I guess) but it’s been a blessing! 🙂
I’d love to hear more about your tea routines and different routines you have for them (morning, evening).
Great podcast guys (found it through Chris Scott’s blog – this guy reads my mind).
Glad you liked it and thanks for the feedback. Motherwort is epic. I used to take a sleep formula that had phytocaps with liquid xtracts of passionflower, valerian, motherwort, hops, milky oats, and skullcap. 2 of those things was like taking a .25 mg Xanax, only a different feeling of course but seemed to be same strength. Glad you found the podcast and Chris Scott’s blog! Thanks again for writing us and more episodes on what you mentioned coming soon!
I’m going thru paws right now I’m about 30 days in and I was trying like crazy to get benzos from my dr but with no avail, prob for the better, but thank u sooo much for this because I was feeling hopeless at this point. I will be going out today to get these teas, thank you so much for what you do!!
Right on glad this episode helped! The teas should help. 🙂
What was the name of this sleep formula?
Can I drink chamomile tea if I’m weaning off Alprazolam at .25 ? Thanks
Thanks for the podcast! Of these herbs mentioned.. which (if any) can you take to assist you while tapering off of benzos, specifically Ativan?
You’re welcome, Liz! Any and all of them!
Plz mention how to use these herbs to taper off of Ativan?
Hi, do these herbal teas cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it?
The ones mentioned do not.
What tea can I drink for insomnia Xanax withdrawals
Xanax and other benzo withdrawals cold-turkey can lead to death in some cases. For acute withdrawal, you can ask your doctor about prescribing a medicine or two that can help you detox from Xanax.
Thank you Matt for a great podcast with very helpful information . I’m withdrawing from restoril and will be using the information you shared.
Awesome. Thanks for all this info. I wonder what your thoughts are for taking Seriphos (Phospholorydated Serine) for elevated cortisol? I would assume that in withdrawal, the cortisol is elevated. It does help me at night but does not help with morning depression and anhedonia plus other depressive symptoms. Please comment.
Can I take 1 mg of Clonazepam AND drink chamomile tea?
my son is addicted to heroin but he think it’s laced with Fentonal
is there any kind of tea he can drink while withdrawing