Anti-anxiety medications often impact the brain similarly to antidepressants. They may alter the levels of certain chemicals in the brain to reduce mental and physiological responses to anxiety and stress, such as increased heart rate and breathing. Among these medications is Buspar or buspirone. The anxiety-reducing properties of this drug, although effective, also give it a potential for abuse. But can you get high on Buspar?

What Is Buspirone (Buspar)?

Also known by its brand name Buspar, buspirone is an anti-anxiety medication that belongs to the anxiolytic drug class. It’s normally prescribed to alleviate symptoms in people with anxiety disorders or the short-term treatment of anxiety’s effects on the brain and body.

People prescribed buspirone take it as a tablet, usually twice daily. The dosages prescribed usually depend on the severity of the individual’s condition, height, weight, and age, to name a few.

Additionally, this medication is not meant to treat the anxiety that one may experience every once in a while, due to stressors in our daily lives. This medication is strictly meant for people who suffer from ongoing anxiety disorders.

How Does Buspar Work?

Buspar works by altering certain neurotransmitters or chemicals in the brain, particularly serotonin and dopamine. Both are neurotransmitters that play roles in regulating mood, feeling of well-being, and physiological functions like heart rate, sweating, and breathing.

Buspirone is a serotonin receptor agonist, which means that it especially increases serotonin levels in the brain. Specifically, serotonin plays a role in regulating functions like bowel movements, digestion, nausea, sleep, and mood.

Some people have naturally lower levels of serotonin than others, which can lead to mental disorders like depression and anxiety. When Buspar is taken for anxiety, the elevated levels of serotonin improve the person’s mood, concentration, emotional stability, and produce a sense of calm.

Can You Get High On Buspirone?

Due to its mood-boosting side effects, you can get high on buspirone. However, achieving a Buspar high would take an extremely large dose.

Usually, when taken as directed by a doctor, buspirone’s abuse potential is pretty low, as well as its risk for addiction. Normal doses of buspirone usually range from 5 mg (milligrams) to 10 mg, 15 mg, or 30 mg.

To achieve a high from Buspar, you’d have to take double these doses, or possibly more than 30 mg. However, taking higher doses than directed is considered buspirone abuse.

When taken in large doses, a Buspar high is characterized by symptoms like sedation, dizziness, sleepiness, and extreme calm. Usually, this high only lasts for about 30 minutes.

Other ways that people may abuse their prescription drugs include mixing with other substances or alcohol or taking them in ways they shouldn’t. For instance, some people may try snorting Buspar to achieve a high.

In addition to a possible high, Buspar abuse also increases the person’s risk of overdose. Although recreational Buspar use is normally done to achieve euphoria, taking larger doses than prescribed or mixing it with alcohol can flood the body with more than it can metabolize, producing an overdose.

Common Buspar overdose symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea/and or vomiting, upset stomach, and pinpoint pupils. If you recognize these signs of overdose in yourself or someone else, get medical assistance immediately.

Is Buspirone Addictive?

Although buspirone is considered to be a non-addictive anxiety medication, it can become addictive, and here’s why. Addiction refers to the compulsive use of drugs or alcohol despite the repercussions the individual may experience.

Drug addiction is just as mental as it is physical and considering that Buspar can produce a high, someone who abuses it regularly enough may come to rely on how it makes them feel. But, as we said, the potential for addiction when taking this medication is low.

Even so, keep in mind that overdose can occur if you take too much of any substance. While a Buspar overdose isn’t considered to be life-threatening, if mixed with other substances like alcohol, the result can be catastrophic.

With that said, always make sure to take your medications as prescribed. Do not share them or take other people’s medications.

Additionally, avoid drinking alcohol with your prescription drugs or mixing them with other medications unless directed to do so by your doctor. Prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as illicit substances, so remain cautious.

Help for Buspar Drug Abuse

Despite a medication’s potential for abuse, people who start abusing one kind of drugs often turn to stronger ones in search of a better high. So, while Buspar may not seem as problematic as opioids, people who become interested enough in getting high will eventually seek out other, more dangerous substances that will get them there.

Therefore, early detection of prescription drug abuse and treatment is crucial to recovery. If you or someone you know has lost control of their prescription drug use or has begun abusing other drugs or alcohol, our Heartland drug rehab can help.

We offer outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatment in Illinois for addictions to medications, illicit drugs, and alcohol. We incorporate individual and group counseling and even offer family therapy to establish a support system for patients and help their loved ones recover from the impact of drug abuse as well.

To learn how our drug and alcohol rehab in Illinois can help you or someone you care about achieve an addiction-free life, call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763.