TV Show 'The White Lotus' Fuels Surging Interest in Prescription Anti-Anxiety Drug Lorazepam
Researchers have found that internet searches for the prescription anti-anxiety medication lorazepam surged significantly after the third season of the hit TV show "The White Lotus" was released. According to data from Google, searches for the drug almost doubled over a 12-week period following its release, equating to around 1.6 million additional searches.
This surge in interest has raised concerns among health experts, who note that benzodiazepines like lorazepam are often associated with risks such as addiction and overdose. The researchers also found that searches for how to obtain lorazepam skyrocketed by over 60%, reflecting around 30,000 extra queries.
The name-dropping of lorazepam in the show has been cited as a key factor in fueling this increase in interest. While the show did not depict the risks associated with sudden withdrawal from the medication or the dangers of combining it with alcohol, experts warn that these types of discussions can be crucial in educating viewers on safe usage and potential side effects.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego analyzed data from Google to determine the impact of "The White Lotus" on internet searches for lorazepam. However, their findings suggest that only benzodiazepines like lorazepam were affected by the show's release, with no corresponding spikes in searches related to other prescription medications.
Health experts caution that while entertainment shows can play a role in raising awareness about medication risks, they should not be relied upon as the sole means of education. Instead, they recommend enforcement action against illicit manufacturers and unregulated providers, as well as prescriber education, to address the root causes of abuse and misuse.
The findings highlight the need for responsible portrayal of prescription medications in entertainment shows, with experts suggesting that incorporating health information panels or signposting viewers to reliable resources could help mitigate potential risks.
Researchers have found that internet searches for the prescription anti-anxiety medication lorazepam surged significantly after the third season of the hit TV show "The White Lotus" was released. According to data from Google, searches for the drug almost doubled over a 12-week period following its release, equating to around 1.6 million additional searches.
This surge in interest has raised concerns among health experts, who note that benzodiazepines like lorazepam are often associated with risks such as addiction and overdose. The researchers also found that searches for how to obtain lorazepam skyrocketed by over 60%, reflecting around 30,000 extra queries.
The name-dropping of lorazepam in the show has been cited as a key factor in fueling this increase in interest. While the show did not depict the risks associated with sudden withdrawal from the medication or the dangers of combining it with alcohol, experts warn that these types of discussions can be crucial in educating viewers on safe usage and potential side effects.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego analyzed data from Google to determine the impact of "The White Lotus" on internet searches for lorazepam. However, their findings suggest that only benzodiazepines like lorazepam were affected by the show's release, with no corresponding spikes in searches related to other prescription medications.
Health experts caution that while entertainment shows can play a role in raising awareness about medication risks, they should not be relied upon as the sole means of education. Instead, they recommend enforcement action against illicit manufacturers and unregulated providers, as well as prescriber education, to address the root causes of abuse and misuse.
The findings highlight the need for responsible portrayal of prescription medications in entertainment shows, with experts suggesting that incorporating health information panels or signposting viewers to reliable resources could help mitigate potential risks.
I mean, I'm not surprised to see people getting curious about lorazepam after watching "The White Lotus". I remember when I was in college and we used to binge-watch this other show that had a character taking antidepressants... anyway, it just made me think how much more open we should be about mental health stuff on TV. Like, we need shows that can tackle the real issues, not just gloss over them like "oh, she's fine". 
I'm all for raising awareness, but also think we need to look at why people are looking up this stuff in the first place... maybe it's time for some more nuanced storytelling? 
It's like our brains just connect the dots between the show and the medication, you know? But at the same time, I get why health experts are worried - benzodiazepines can be super addictive. Maybe shows should try to include more info about risks or have panels with actual docs explaining stuff... 
Wouldn't that be a better way to help people learn about meds?
I was literally shaking and couldn't sleep at all... I know it sounds crazy but it felt like an eternity before I started feeling better 
anyway I've been watching this show "The White Lotus" and I'm totally fascinated by how the characters use lorazepam to cope with their stress... I guess it's kinda interesting that people are searching for it online now 
. Like, who even remembers what the show's about and thinks "oh, I'll just take some lorazepam for anxiety" without checking with their doc first? 
It's not like it's going to fix anything, just a Band-Aid solution for people dealing with real issues... meanwhile, all these unnecessary prescriptions are just gonna clog up our hospitals and whatnot.
! I love "The White Lotus" but it's crazy how a TV show can affect people's mental health like this 
Lorazepam is not a joke, and we need to be responsible with our medication usage, you know? 
The show might've made people curious about the drug, but it shouldn't have been glorified in my opinion 
Let's promote healthy habits and media literacy instead of just talking about the risks, 'kay? 
the show didn't do its due diligence on highlighting the risks, imo they should've taken a more responsible approach to educate us viewers instead of just naming-dropping lorazepam 
it's time for entertainment shows to get real about mental health 
let's work together to spread awareness and not rely solely on entertainment to educate us 
. It's all about finding that balance between making things interesting and educating viewers on the real risks associated with meds 
.
Like, I'm not saying it's all good or anything, benzodiazepines can be super problematic. But at the same time, some education would've been nice. Maybe a quick PSA about safe usage and side effects or something? 
That'd be way more responsible than just relying on Google search queries to fill in the gaps.
Wouldn't they've already found those online or through other means if they were desperate enough? It feels like we're just perpetuating this cycle of seeking out pills instead of addressing the real issues. 
. I mean, lorazepam is a serious medication that should only be prescribed by a doctor for legitimate reasons, not because it's the next big thing in entertainment 
.
. It made people curious about lorazepam, but now they need to fact-check and seek medical advice from real experts 
.
. Lorazepam can be super helpful for anxiety, but it's also super addictive and you gotta be careful with it. The show just made me realize how important it is to have those conversations about safe usage and side effects... like, what if people don't know the risks?