Does lorazepam feel euphoric? A Deeper Look at Benzodiazepines

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine commonly prescribed for anxiety, can produce feelings of euphoria, particularly when used in high doses or misused for recreational purposes. For those who abuse this medication, a pleasurable 'high' can accompany its powerful calming effects, contributing significantly to its potential for dependence and addiction.

Quick Summary

Lorazepam can cause a mild to moderate sense of euphoria by increasing GABA activity in the brain, but this is most prominent with misuse. This effect, combined with its sedative properties, contributes to its abuse potential and risk of addiction. Long-term use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and serious withdrawal.

Key Points

Dose-Dependent Euphoria: Feelings of euphoria from lorazepam are typically associated with high, non-prescribed doses, not standard therapeutic use.
GABA and Dopamine Interaction: Lorazepam increases the inhibitory effects of the GABA neurotransmitter for calming, but misuse can also trigger dopamine release in the brain's reward center, causing pleasure.
High Potential for Addiction: Lorazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance with a significant risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction, especially with long-term or high-dose use.
Significant Health Risks: Abuse, particularly with other CNS depressants, increases the risk of overdose, respiratory depression, cognitive impairment, and liver damage.
Dangerous Withdrawal: Abruptly stopping lorazepam after dependence develops can cause severe and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms, including seizures.
Medical Supervision is Critical: Safe withdrawal and addiction treatment require a medically supervised tapering schedule to mitigate risks.

Understanding the Calming Effect of Lorazepam

Lorazepam, a medication sold under brand names like Ativan, belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It functions as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, meaning it slows down brain activity. The primary mechanism of action for lorazepam is to enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. GABA is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and by increasing its activity, lorazepam creates a calming and sedating effect.

For someone experiencing severe anxiety, panic, or insomnia, this calming effect can be profoundly therapeutic. It can quiet an overactive nervous system, relax muscles, and reduce feelings of tension. However, this is distinct from a euphoric feeling. While the relief from anxiety can be a positive experience, it is the abuse of the drug at higher doses that is most often associated with euphoria.

The Link Between Lorazepam, High Doses, and Euphoria

So, does lorazepam feel euphoric? The answer lies largely in dosage and intent. When taken recreationally or in amounts larger than prescribed, lorazepam can trigger a release of dopamine in certain areas of the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the brain's reward system, and this release is what contributes to the pleasurable feeling of euphoria.

For those seeking a “high,” the effects of an Ativan high are often described as a mix of relaxation, tiredness, and a sense of well-being. This feeling, however, is a sign of drug misuse rather than a therapeutic benefit. The dopamine boost reinforces the behavior of taking the drug, increasing the likelihood of repeated use, tolerance development, and eventual addiction.

Therapeutic Use vs. Recreational Misuse

It is crucial to differentiate between taking lorazepam as prescribed and misusing it. A person taking a small, doctor-recommended dose for a short period is likely to experience only the intended calming and sedative effects. In contrast, someone abusing the medication may take much higher doses and experience the euphoric, though dangerous, side effects.

Common effects of lorazepam abuse include:

An Ativan “high” characterized by sedation and euphoria.
Impaired coordination and slurred speech.
Drowsiness and dizziness.
Anterograde amnesia (blackouts).
Polysubstance use, combining lorazepam with other substances like alcohol or opioids to enhance the “high”.

The Dangers of Polysubstance Abuse

Mixing lorazepam with other central nervous system depressants, especially alcohol and opioids, is extremely dangerous. The synergistic effect of these substances can lead to profound sedation, severe respiratory depression, coma, and even death. This is a particularly common and hazardous practice among recreational users.

The Road to Addiction and Dependence

Lorazepam is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance due to its potential for misuse and dependence. Tolerance can develop quickly, sometimes within just a few weeks of regular use, meaning a person needs to take higher doses to achieve the same effect. This escalation is a common gateway to physical dependence and addiction.

Warning signs of lorazepam addiction include:

Taking higher doses or using the drug for longer than intended.
Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop using.
Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the drug's effects.
Developing a tolerance, needing more of the drug for the same effect.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped abruptly.
Cravings for lorazepam.
Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home.

If an individual develops physical dependence and stops taking lorazepam suddenly, they can experience severe and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. This is why medically supervised detoxification is recommended for anyone seeking to stop using the medication after developing a dependence. Withdrawal symptoms can include seizures, severe anxiety, and hallucinations.

Therapeutic vs. Abused Lorazepam: A Comparison


Feature	Therapeutic Use (as Prescribed)	Recreational/High-Dose Use
Dose	Low, consistent, and doctor-prescribed	High, increasing, and irregular
Effect Sought	Reduction of anxiety, sedation, sleep	Euphoria, a powerful "high," escape
Psychological State	Calmer, more relaxed, less agitated	Drowsy, sluggish, detached, euphoric
Risk of Addiction	Lower, especially with short-term use	Significantly higher, develops rapidly
Long-Term Side Effects	Potential for dependence, cognitive issues	High risk of addiction, memory loss, liver damage, psychological problems
Withdrawal Risks	Minimal with proper medical tapering	Potentially severe and life-threatening

Long-Term Consequences of Abuse

Prolonged lorazepam abuse can lead to serious and lasting health issues. The cognitive impairment associated with long-term benzodiazepine use can include memory problems, difficulty with concentration, and a reduction in mental sharpness. Some studies have also linked chronic use to an increased risk of dementia. In addition to mental health effects, long-term abuse can cause physical harm, including liver damage. Paradoxically, prolonged use can even worsen the anxiety it was originally intended to treat.

For individuals with a history of substance abuse or co-occurring mental health disorders, the risk of becoming addicted to lorazepam is even greater. The best way to mitigate these risks is to follow a doctor's prescription precisely, and for those who suspect they have developed a dependence or addiction, to seek professional medical help for a supervised tapering process.

Conclusion

While lorazepam is a valuable medication for treating severe anxiety and other conditions in the short term, its potential for euphoria and abuse is a serious concern. The euphoric feelings are not a standard therapeutic effect but are tied to higher doses and misuse, which trigger the brain's reward system. This can quickly lead to a cycle of tolerance, dependence, and addiction. The risks associated with abuse, particularly when combined with other substances like alcohol, are life-threatening. For anyone concerned about their use of lorazepam, seeking help from a healthcare professional is the safest and most effective path to recovery. More information on substance abuse and addiction can be found from authoritative sources like the National Library of Medicine (NIH).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is possible to get a high from lorazepam, especially when it is misused by taking higher doses than prescribed. This high is typically characterized by a sense of euphoria and deep relaxation, which is a key reason for its potential for abuse.

The euphoric effect is dose-dependent and highly individual. People who misuse lorazepam by taking higher doses for a prolonged period are more likely to experience euphoria, as it can influence the brain's dopamine reward system. In contrast, those taking low, prescribed doses usually experience only calming sedation.

Taking too much lorazepam can cause excessive sedation, drowsiness, confusion, and sluggishness. In severe cases, particularly when mixed with other depressants, it can lead to respiratory depression, dangerously low blood pressure, coma, and death.

Developing a physical dependence on lorazepam can happen within just a few weeks of regular use, even when taken as prescribed. Addiction can quickly follow, particularly in individuals with a history of substance abuse.

No, it is not safe to stop taking lorazepam suddenly, especially if you have been using it long-term. Abrupt discontinuation can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, including dangerous and potentially life-threatening seizures. A medically supervised tapering plan is essential.

Physical dependence means your body has adapted to the drug and needs it to function normally, leading to withdrawal symptoms when you stop. Addiction (or substance use disorder) is a chronic disease involving compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences, often driven by psychological factors.

Yes, ironically, long-term lorazepam abuse can worsen anxiety and other mental health conditions. When the brain becomes dependent on the drug to regulate itself, stopping it can cause a rebound effect of intense anxiety as the brain's activity surges.