"Xanax Exposure in Adolescence Heightens Brain Sensitivity to Opioids"

A study on male mice found that adolescent exposure to alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, increased sensitivity to opioids like morphine even after the drug exposure ceased. This highlights potential long-term consequences of using certain medications during critical developmental stages, particularly in adolescents. The research revealed lasting neurobiological changes in the brain's reward processing areas, indicating enhanced sensitivity to opiates. The study underscores the need for awareness of the dangers of long-term drug use during brain maturation and aims to better understand the neurobiological causes of drug addiction for developing more effective treatment strategies.