Antianxiety drugs, specific agents

Note Valerian consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis Linne (Fam. Valerianaceae). It has been employed as an antianxiety agent and sleep aid for more than 1000 years. The drug contains from 0.3 to 0.7% of an unpleasant-smelling volatile oil containing bornyl acetate and the sesquiterpenoids, valerenic acid, and acetoxyvalerenolic acid. Also present is a mixture of lipophilic iridoid principles known as valepotriates. These bicyclic monoterpenoids are quite unstable and occur only in the fresh plant or in material dried at temperatures under 40°C. Although the specific active principals of valerian have not been determined, it is possible that a combination of the sesquiterpenoids and the valepotriates may be involved. The drug may be administered as a tea prepared from 2 to 3 g of the dried herb or equivalent amounts of a tincture or extract may be employed. 

People who use BZs to calm their anxiety will frequently use alcohol and other sedatives interchangeably for the same purpose, either in combination or at different times. As they switch from drug to drug, they tend to find little or no difference in the antianxiety effect. This confirms that BZs have no specificity for anxiety in comparison to other sedative/ hypnotic agents. 

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