PlainPill
MedicationAnxietySleepFocus

Xanax

People mainly take Xanax for anxiety, sleep, focus. Based on 38 first-hand reports and 1 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #110 of 1,974 overall.

Compare with…Alternatives for anxiety
50
User score
Mixed
29% positive21% mixed21% negative29% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 41% are positive.

Clinical research
BModerate research base
1
meta-analyses
5
RCTs
121
papers

What Xanax does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

Anxiety82% of 17Sleep100% of 3Focus67% of 3Memory0% of 3
1 more with fewer than 3 reports
Mood0% of 1
betterno changeworse

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

BModerate research base

At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2012 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Muscle relaxants for pain management in rheumatoid arthritis

Conclusion: Based upon the currently available evidence in patients with RA, benzodiazepines (diazepam and triazolam) do not appear to be beneficial in improving pain over 24 hours or one week. The non-benzodiazepine agent zopiclone also did not significantly reduce pain over two weeks. However, even short term muscle relaxant use (24 hours to 2 weeks) is associated with significant adverse events, predominantly drowsiness and dizziness.

PubMed 22258993 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

rarelyas reported
handfulbefore test
0.25 mgas reported
0.5 mgas reported
sparinglyas reported
1 baras reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

addiction ×3brain fog ×2memory loss ×1blackout ×1death ×1dependence ×1drowsiness ×1depression ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“Xanax but you'll also become extremely retarded”
Source discussion ↗
“I have tried xanax, which affects GABA -A, and did not get any significant improvements for the above mentioned symptoms”
Source discussion ↗
“I use xanax very rarely in case of anxiety”
Source discussion ↗
“Jason had been having a few problems with Xanax and drinking... This led to him turning to Xanax and alcohol to try and get a little bit of sleep”
Source discussion ↗
“The biggest risk with benzos is addiction and withdrawals. Benzo withdrawals can kill you.”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

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User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate