Benzotired

April 13th, 2026 In this episode: I speak to Karin Kellum, a tattoo artist from Illinois, USA. She was prescribed SSRIs at the young age of 16, which eventually led to a prescription of benzodiazepines. After seeing a Netflix documentary, she decided to want to get off, which led to a severe withdrawal. Find Karen @ https://www.instagram.com/karintats/ Find Karen's tattoo shop in Peoria, Illin...

January 28th, 2026 In this episode: I catch up with benzo survivor, artist and filmmaker Emma Hames from the United Kingdom. Emma is featured on episode 12 where she shared her brief story about being severely harmed by benzodiazepines. She also featured in episode 37 as we talked about working whilst being harmed. As I relistened to episode 12 I felt the importance to go more in depth into her jo...

November 21nd, 2025 In this episode: Along with my occasional co-host Emma Saunders I talk to dr. Mark Horowitz and Melanie Davis about the National Psychiatric Drug Describing Clinic in the United Kingdom. Melanie Davis is featured on Benzotired episode nine about her local support group called REST. Dr. Mark Horowitz is featured on Benzotired episode thirty-six about his book: “The Maudsley Depr...

November 12th, 2025 In this episode: I talk to Tiffany Camilleri from Malta. She works in marketing and is a mental health advocate. Tiffany got prescribed benzodiazepines and other psych meds at the young age of 14. From the beginning Tiffany started to wonder if some of her issues were caused by the medications that she was taking, but every time she went to see a psychiatrist, she was gaslit. F...

September 19th, 2025 In this episode: I have a conversation with Emma Saunders about brand changes. I have personal experiencing facing a brand change with Diazepam (Valium) and Emma has personal experience with a brand change of Mirtazepine (Remeron). We discuss studies, talk about our experiences and discuss possible ways to handle brand changes and some other personal stories. Inner Compass art...

August 6th, 2025 In this episode: I speak with Laurie from Canada. When Laurie wanted to come off her antidepressants after 20 years, she got into severe withdrawal in which she went to a hospital seeking aid. There, she was polydrugged and prescribed Lorazepam (also known as Ativan). After receiving shock therapy, she left whilst still taking prescription drugs. After a cold turkey event, she dis...

July 25th, 2025 In this episode: I speak with Danielle de Vries and Tommy Boyce, who created the play “KORE.” The play is about Sam who freefalls into prescription drug dependence, being prescribed Zopiclone and Lorazepam (also known as Ativan). The play is a tragicomedy loosely based on Persephone in the Underworld. We talk about how the play came about and how it is for Danielle, not having expe...

July 11th, 2025 In this episode: I speak with Sydney Hunnell. Sydney is originally from Colorado, but moved to North Carolina. Sydney was prescribed Xanax (Alprazolam) at the age of 20 for panic attacks. Over the course of months her dose escalated to a staggering 8 milligrams. Eventually Sydney was taken off her Xanax abruptly at a detox facility where she stayed for one week. Sydney still has sy...

June 23rd, 2025 In this episode: I speak with Crystal Grier from Ontario, Canada. Crystal is a mother of six, an artist and a passionate advocate for intentional living. Crystal homeschooled her kids before her life took a sharp turn after life-altering events. Immediately after being prescribed antidepressants Crystal suffered severe adverse effects. This led Crystal to a chain of events where sh...

May 30th, 2025 In this episode: I speak with Ryan Hebert from California, U.S.A. Ryan is two years psych med free after being misprescribed benzodiazepines for 12 years, spanning most of her adult working life. She was on Ativan (generic: Lorazepam), before being switched to Klonopin (generic: Clonazepam). It took Ryan three attempts and three years to fully taper, much of it during the COVID-19 p...

May 7th, 2025 In this episode: I talk to Emma Saunders from the UK, a regular guest of Benzotired about setbacks. We talk about setbacks she and I have had, others have had or may have. We talk about alcohol, supplements, food and much more. Find Emma at: the The Psych Med Sanctuary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepsychmedsanctuary/ (00:00) Intro (01:45) Emma's worst setback (04:15) Naftal...

May 7th, 2025 In this episode: I catch up with Emma Saunders from the UK. Emma has featured on many episodes of Benzotired. She was prescribed Lorazepam (Ativan) for tinnitus and ended up being polydrugged. In this episode she shares her successfully tapering Quatiapine and Lorazepam and she shares her current state of affairs. Currently Emma is tapering Mirtazepine (Remeron). Find Emma at: https:...

February 22nd, 2025 In this episode: I talk to my friend Jenny, from New York, U.S.A. She is featured on episode #2 and #16. On episode #2, she was still tapering and she shares her benzo story, aswell as her horrible experience in a detox facility. On episode #16 (recorded around June 2023), she had been off benzodiazepines, but still dealing with symptoms, known as Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurolo...

February 20th, 2025 In this episode: I talk to Malissa Pistillo about our experiences and knowledge about insomnia. We discuss Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi), things that help us sleep and more. Check out episode #43 for Malissa's benzo story and more information about her. As discussed in this episode: "The Insomnia Diaries" by Miranda Levi (episode #13) The Matt Wa...

December 20th, 2024 In this episode: Barbara Connolly, PhD is the Senior Admin of the Benzo Warrior Community. She is a retired professor of political science, she has lived experience with complicated withdrawal from both benzodiazepines and antidepressants, and truly understands living with complex chronic illness and pain, particularly Ehlers-Danlos and mast cell activation syndromes. Barb was...

November 26th, 2024 In this episode: I talk to Rikka Allen from Finland. She was harmed by Cymbalta (generic: Duloxetine) and Oxazepam (also known as Serax). Rikka shares her journey as she is currently tapering her benzodiazepine using water. We also discuss directly tapering, finding English information and national issues surrounding benzodiazepines.

November 19th, 2024 In this episode: I speak with Malissa Pistello. She is a benzo and a psych drug advocate with a background being in Cloud Computing & Cyber Security. She has personal experience with protracted injuries caused by SSRIs, SNRIs and benzodiazepines, which has shaped her mission as she continues to navigate the ongoing challenges of Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfuntio...

November 15th, 2024 In this episode: I speak with P.A. Nicole Lamberson about Flumazenil. She also serves as the Medical Director of the non-profit organization Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, BIC for short. Her personal story is featuted on episode #28 of Benzotired. Nicole and I discuss what we know about Flumazenil using published papers and news articles. Additionally, Nicole shares her...

November 3rd, 2024 In this episode: Domagoj from Croatia shares his benzo story. He was prescribed Xanax XR (Alprazolam extended release) for severe panic attacks in 2016. He is has been tapering Xanax directly as of March 2024. In this episode we talk about his taper, an updose that went sideways, insert pamphlets, national stigmas and more. You can contact Domagoj at: domagoj.benzofree@gmail.com

May 17th, 2024In this episode: I speak with Nicole Lamberson, a Physician Assistant (P.A.) about benzo lingo: explaining and discussing language we use in the Benzo harmed community. Nicole is the Medical Director of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) and is incredibly engaged in the Benzo harmed community. Recently she featured on the French-Canadian journalism program Enquête "P...

May 13th, 2024This episode is dedicated to Fronçois Chapet*🇨🇦 ✝️In this episode: I team up with my friend Emma Saunders to discuss tinnitus. Emma and I got prescribed Benzodiazepines to deal with our tinnitus. In episode #3 of Benzotired we touch on our tinnitus briefly. Emma got tinnitus from Covid-19 and I got tinnitus from Lyme and/or the Doxycycline treatment. In this episode we discuss tinnit...

April 19th, 2024 In this episode: I catch up with Haeley (featured on episode 10). Haeley briefly shares her Benzo story and how she has being doing after her last appearance on Benzotired. Haeley started to implement liquid compounded Diazepam / Valium at 15 milligrams and has microtapered down to 9 milligrams ever since. Haeley and her husband Tom launched a (non-Benzo related) podcast: Talking...

April 2nd, 2024 In memory of dr. Christy Huff ✝️. In this (bonus) episode: I have an informal conversation about working with BIND (Benzodiazepine Induced Neurological Dysfunction) with my friends Emma Saunders 🇬🇧 (from beatingthebenzo.com) and Emma Hames 🇬🇧 (producer of the documentary Toxsick). If you want to honor dr. Christy Huff and/or find more information, visit the Benzodiazepine Informati...

December 12th, 2023In this episode: Dr. Mark Horowitz, MBBS PhD has lived experience being harmed by antidepressants. He is the author of a handbook on how to safely stop psychiatric drugs called the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines. It will be published in the UK and Europe on the 7th of March, 2024 and in the US on the 8th of April. It can be pre-ordered now from Amazon and other booksellers. T...

November 22nd, 2023 In this episode: Tijs Synaeve from Belgium. After the sudden passing of his father in 2005, Tijs suffered from anxiety attacks. Tijs self medicated with alcohol to try to cope. Upon seeing a psychiatrist, he was prescribed the Benzodiazepine Tranxène (Clorazepate), antidepressants and eventually a staggering 8 milligrams of Rivotril (Clonazepam). Trough the years he had visited...