Surge in Lorazepam Searches Post The White Lotus Release, Raises Concerns Over Benzodiazepine Misuse
A new study analyzing Google search data has found a significant spike in searches for lorazepam, an anti-anxiety medication also known as Ativan, following the release of the third season of the hit TV show The White Lotus. The researchers, who analyzed data from January 2022 to February 2025, discovered that searches for lorazepam surged after the show's finale aired on February 16, with almost twice as many searches over the next 12 weeks compared to expected levels.
According to experts, the name-dropping of lorazepam on The White Lotus has likely fueled public interest in the drug and how to access it. However, researchers warn that this increased attention comes at a concerning time, given the rise in benzodiazepine misuse and the proliferation of illicit online pharmacies selling these medications without prescriptions.
The study's findings highlight the risks associated with using benzodiazepines, particularly when taken with alcohol or suddenly stopped. Dr. Olivia Maynard of the University of Bristol described the data as striking, saying that "TV shows are causing people to explore purchasing benzodiazepines online" and warning that these drugs are often dosed incorrectly and contain synthetic opioids that can lead to overdose or death.
The researchers suggest that entertainment industry approaches to showing prescription medications should prioritize caution and safety. While some may argue for the inclusion of health advice at the end of shows, others believe this could be counterproductive and heavy-handed. Instead, experts recommend enforcement action against illicit manufacturers and unregulated providers, as well as prescriber education to prevent over- or inappropriate prescribing.
The study's findings have sparked concern about the potential consequences of The White Lotus' portrayal of lorazepam use and its impact on public perception of benzodiazepines. As Harry Sumnall, a professor of substance use at Liverpool John Moores University, noted, "Where access to medicines is concerned, I think the greatest impacts will be seen through enforcement action against illicit manufacturers and unregulated providers."
A new study analyzing Google search data has found a significant spike in searches for lorazepam, an anti-anxiety medication also known as Ativan, following the release of the third season of the hit TV show The White Lotus. The researchers, who analyzed data from January 2022 to February 2025, discovered that searches for lorazepam surged after the show's finale aired on February 16, with almost twice as many searches over the next 12 weeks compared to expected levels.
According to experts, the name-dropping of lorazepam on The White Lotus has likely fueled public interest in the drug and how to access it. However, researchers warn that this increased attention comes at a concerning time, given the rise in benzodiazepine misuse and the proliferation of illicit online pharmacies selling these medications without prescriptions.
The study's findings highlight the risks associated with using benzodiazepines, particularly when taken with alcohol or suddenly stopped. Dr. Olivia Maynard of the University of Bristol described the data as striking, saying that "TV shows are causing people to explore purchasing benzodiazepines online" and warning that these drugs are often dosed incorrectly and contain synthetic opioids that can lead to overdose or death.
The researchers suggest that entertainment industry approaches to showing prescription medications should prioritize caution and safety. While some may argue for the inclusion of health advice at the end of shows, others believe this could be counterproductive and heavy-handed. Instead, experts recommend enforcement action against illicit manufacturers and unregulated providers, as well as prescriber education to prevent over- or inappropriate prescribing.
The study's findings have sparked concern about the potential consequences of The White Lotus' portrayal of lorazepam use and its impact on public perception of benzodiazepines. As Harry Sumnall, a professor of substance use at Liverpool John Moores University, noted, "Where access to medicines is concerned, I think the greatest impacts will be seen through enforcement action against illicit manufacturers and unregulated providers."
So, I guess The White Lotus is now officially responsible for triggering benzodiazepine binges... like it's not already a hot topic anyway 
. Anyway, who needs TV shows to learn about medication misuse? It's not like there aren't enough actual health experts out there 
. But hey, at least the show's creators can take comfort in knowing they've made a real difference in people's lives... said no one ever 
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. But do we really need a TV show to spark this interest? It feels like people are getting mixed messages. On one hand, you got the show highlighting the risks, but on the other hand, some folks might just think it's cool to take meds without consulting a doc 
benzodiazepine misuse has already become a huge issue and now TV shows are kinda enabling it 
like, I get that they want to show the characters' struggles but seriously, shouldn't they just say "hey, if you're feeling anxious, talk to your doc or a therapist" instead of making it look so easy? 
let's focus on promoting real help and support rather than glorifying medication without proper guidance 
It's crazy how much harm a little name-dropping can cause. We need stricter controls on pharmaceuticals in media, not just some vague warnings about risks. And let's be real, if you're taking meds without a prescription from some sketchy online pharmacy, chances are you'll end up overdosing or worse. 
. But seriously, it's concerning to see benzodiazepine misuse on the rise. I think it's a great idea for the industry to be more cautious with how they portray these types of meds on TV or in movies - we don't want people getting carried away and misusing them because they saw it on screen 
. And yeah, enforcement action against unregulated providers is key. We need to make sure that people can get their meds safely and responsibly 
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that's just not right. i remember when i was younger and my friend's sister used to take ativan for anxiety, she had to go through her parents to get it and even then it was an ordeal. now it's like everyone has access to this stuff, but is it really safe? 
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. all this drama around tv shows showing prescription meds is making me think we need stricter controls on online pharmacies too... or like, let's just say it's better to leave the health advice to the pros 
i know its a medication & all but cant imagine how many ppl r gonna try 2 get their hands on it now 
idk about u guys but i think we shd be more careful w/ wht we watch on tv 
That's almost twice as many searches over the next 12 weeks compared to expected levels. Can you imagine how many people are searching for ways to get their hands on Ativan? 
we need to talk about this! 
what's wrong with just showing the consequences of misuse or addiction instead of glorifying it? 
️. We need 2 be careful what we're exposing people 2, especially if they r not even prescribed these meds 4 real 
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