According to Gina Ryder, "Xanax is the most well-known brand in the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines; other popular brands include Klonopin and Ativan. “Benzos,” as the drugs are culturally known, are sedatives for the age of anxiety—popular preflight fear quellers and an instant blunter for life’s sharp edges: breakups, deadlines, funerals. They’re readily prescribed and passed around friend groups like brunch recommendations, and they’ve gotten shout-outs in everything from rap songs to New York Times columns."

This article discusses benzodiazepine addiction and the long term effects these drugs have on the human body.