The purpose of this report is to educate people about the positive and negative effects Xanax can have on one’s mental health while under the influence of the drug, and after use of it. Mental health plays a crucial part in someone's life, and can affect the people around them, making mental health an important topic of awareness for society. Xanax helps people to function well and ‘normally’ in society, when they struggle to do so due to anxiety or panic disorders. This means it will essentially help them with everyday routines: walking through a crowd, going to a meeting and sitting through a class, as well as helping them stay stable and calm whilst social interactions occur within these routines. Many different things can affect mental health. Bad mental health may stem from traumatic experience, whether it be negative home and family circumstances, loss of loved ones, or feelings and thoughts that have arisen from (and keep coming back after) one's perceptual experiences in their social interactions. All of these things can debilitate someone’s well being, and set predispositioned responses to certain occurrences. Luckily, there are now mental and physical treatments for people with mental health problems. Xanax and other Benzodiazepines alter the way in which people perceive the world and their encounters, and how they behave in response to these experiences. Xanax is the brand name for Alprazolam. It is part of a group of anti-anxiety drugs called Benzodiazepine. It is used to treat general anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. To gain an understanding as to how Xanax works and how it helps mental health, this report includes the production process along with the raw materials, how the body reacts to the chemical, and how this affects the brain physiologically. The report then goes on to discuss the side effects that could occur, the difference between taking the drug when prescribed compared when it is not, and the different forms and dosages of Xanax.



Background

4-Chloronitrobenzene and Benzeneacetonitrile are the raw materials of 2,6-dichloro-4-phenylquinoline, once boiled with orthoacetate it creates triazoloquinoline intermediate. The intermediate is then oxidised this results in triazolobenzophenone. Once the triazolobenzophenone is treated with formaldehyde, it forms another intermediate, which is treated with ammonia to form alprazolam.

Figure 1: synthesis of alprazolam, retrieved from- http://hetchem.blogspot.com.au/2007/06/synthesis-of-alprazolam.html  

Xanax can be taken orally in both liquid and tablet form, tablets are sometimes crushed and snorted to get a faster effect. When Xanax is taken orally, it can take up to a week to feel the full effects. Xanax in some cases can cause heart palpitations (irregular heart rhythm), Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and an increased production of liver enzymes (this can injure the liver).
Xanax is a nervous system depressant. Xanax attaches itself to the GABA receptors and makes neurons less excitable. It increases the effectiveness of the GABA; this means your brain will produce less of the GABA chemicals enabling the brain to return to its natural balance. Therefor having a calming effect on the body. GABA is a chemical messenger in the brain; it works by binding onto neurons and reduces the activity level. GABA receptors are channel receptors, meaning that they change shape to allow the ions to pass through the central channel when GABA binds to them.

Discussion

Xanax is an anti-anxiety drug; this means in most cases when it is prescribed it has a positive effect on the mental health. When taken as a prescribed drug, Xanax has the potential to help relieve anxiety, relax the body, muscles, and feelings of unease commonly related to anxiety. When someone who is not prescribed Xanax takes the drug, the effects do not change, however the chances of experiencing negative side effects increase. Taking Xanax can be risky whether it is prescribed or not as there is, still a chance the user may become addicted to the drug, or have severe side effects like, seizures or hallucinations. Other negative side effects such as depression, insomnia and suicidal thoughts. Common side effects include drowsiness/tiredness, poor concentration, irritability, poor coordination/balance, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea /vomiting, dry mouth, blocked nose, headaches and blurred vision. There is no way to predict who may experience these side effects.
How long Xanax effects the body depends on how frequently the drug is used, and personal metabolic differences. It is advised that people who have a history of drug and alcohol addiction should not be prescribed Xanax. Alprazolam is a habit-forming medication, therefore someone who has previously been addicted to drugs or alcohol has a higher chance of
becoming addicted. Long-term abuse of the drug can lead to depression, aggressive/impulsive behaviour and psychotic episodes. Alcohol is also a nervous system depressant therefor it should not be mixed with Xanax. If mixed alcohol and xanax it increase the likeliness of experiencing the more severe side effects. People who take the drug without a prescription have an increased chance of the side effects occurring. There is also increased risk for overdose, accidents under the influence, damage to the liver and kidneys and addiction
When Xanax is used to treat anxiety, the dosage is usually 0.25 to 0.5 mg given three times daily. However, the prescription for panic disorders can sometimes be up to or more than 4 mg daily. Dosages are customised to the patient for maximum effect. Doctors may change the dosage to get maximum results. Orally disintegrating tablets come in strengths of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2mg. However, extended release tablets come in strengths of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, or 3 mg. Liquid solution comes in dosages of 0.5 mg/5 mL and as 1 mg/1 mL.

Conclusion

In conclusion this report provides an understanding of how the body reacts the the chemical, and how the brain responds. This report has outlined the production process including raw materials, the general chemical properties, how the body and brain react to the drug and the side effects that could occur when taking xanax. Xanax increases the effectiveness of the GABA chemical, slowing down the brain and allowing it to return to a calm state. Xanax helps relieve anxiety and panic disorders. This drug is dangerous if taken when not prescribed and should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor. Taking xanax can potentially have negative affects one's physical health and can cause serious health issues if not taken responsilbly. Xanax can affect a person's mental health in both positive and negative ways. 

Public Education Piece

For my public education piece I made a brochure to advise the general public of the information showed in this report.

References

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