Analysis of Neurobiology of Rohypnol

Neurobiology of Rohypnol

Rohypnol, which is commonly known as Flunitrazepam, is a kind of benzodiazepine i.e. a category of drugs that slows down the central nervous system. Given its ability to depress the central nervous system, this drug was developed as a sleeping aid, which has partly contributed to its use in therapy for helping patients relax and talk. Notably, the drug is relatively cheap and has largely become popular among high school and college students. Actually, Rohypnol is commonly used in parties and combined with alcohol because of its synergistic impact. Consequently, the neurobiology of Rohypnol is an issue that has attracted considerable attention among researchers who seek to examine different aspects relating to the drug. One of the studies that were recently conducted on the neurobiology of Rohypnol is the research by Kaustav Chakraborty, Rajarshi Neogi, and Debasish Basu.

This study focuses on providing a review of club drugs, particularly Rohypnol, in relation to the Indian scenario. The researchers conducted the study on the premise that Rohypnol and other club drugs have become popular in parties and clubs because of their consideration as substances that improve endurance, sexual arousal, energy, and sociability (Chakraborty, Neogi & Basu, 2011, p.594). Moreover, the use of the drugs has been characterized by constant modification and evolution that makes them difficult to monitor. They are increasingly preferred by high school and college students because of their varying pharmacologic properties, psychological impacts, and probable consequences. The main goal of the study is to help clinicians to understand current trends in the use of club drugs in order to identify clinical impacts of these trends, create awareness, and manage their related emergencies.

The study found that the clinical effects of Rohypnol are similar to those of other benzodiazepines and are seemingly greater when combined with alcohol or other sedating drugs. Rohypnol is a GABA agonist just like the other benzodiazepines, which enables it to mediate inhibitory neurotransmission in the spinal cord and brain. This drug achieves this through binding itself to the GABA receptor and opening the chloride mediums of neurons. This in turn contributes to an increase in chloride and cell hyper-polarization. Due to increase in chloride and hyper-polarization of the cell, Rohypnol lessens the enthusiasm of the cell generating sedation, anxiety reduction, and anticonvulsant activity (Chakraborty, Neogi & Basu, 2011, p.600). According to these researchers, the neurobiology of Rohypnol is centered on its impact on receptors in neurons in the brain. The drug interacts with neurons in the brain's receptors that use GABA, a neurotransmitter. Since the drug binds to GABA receptors, it not only restrains a neuron but also lessens neuron activity. Moreover, the drugs attachment to GABA receptors enhances it GABA attachment to other receptor resulting in reduced brain activity.