... (commonly known as benzos) are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical construction is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. (Diazepine is similar to benzene, but instead of six carbon molecules in a ring it has five carbon molecules and two nitrogen – total seven.)
The first benzodiazepine was discovered accidentally in 1955, and marketed from 1960 as librium. In 1977, benzodiazepines were prescribed more than any other medication worldwide.
Benzodiazepines are considered major drugs of abuse, mostly among abusers of other drugs. Temazapam is a controlled drug in the UK.
© Haydn Thompson 2017