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'The White Lotus' characters taking lorazepam: What is it and why are they in danger by abusing it?

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'The White Lotus' characters taking lorazepam: What is it and why are they in danger by abusing it?

Those watching HBO’s “The White Lotus” may be familiar with matriarch Victoria’s long southern drawl, sweeping silk robes — and her affinity for lorazepam.

Searches for the anti-anxiety drug spiked, according to Google Trends, following an episode of the hit show that heavily featured its use — or, more accurately, its abuse.

Victoria Ratliff, played by actress Parker Posey, is seen tossing back a pill or two at all hours of the day.

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She cites its use for anxiety when questioned by her family. 

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But when Ratliff finds herself suddenly without her medication, she utters the memorable quote: “I don’t even have my lorazepam. I’m going to have to drink myself to sleep.”

Actress Parker Posey is shown at the Season 3 premiere of HBO’s “The White Lotus” in Bangkok on Feb. 14, 2025. (CHANAKARN LAOSARAKHAM/AFP via Getty Images; iStock)

What is lorazepam?

The drug, which is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines, works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation, according to MedlinePlus.

Lorazepam is used to relieve anxiety as well as insomnia caused by temporary situational stress (or, in Mrs. Ratliff’s case, a stressful family vacation).

Lorazepam is used to relieve anxiety as well as insomnia caused by temporary situational stress. (iStock)

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The medication is also sometimes used in hospital environments to help patients relax and fall asleep prior to surgery, according to Healthline. 

It may also be used to treat certain types of seizures.

Potential risks and side effects

Some side effects of lorazepam include dizziness, confusion, memory issues and slowed breathing, especially when combined with other sedating substances, such as alcohol or opioids, according to Chelsie Rohrscheib, a neuroscientist and sleep specialist at Wesper in New York.

“This class of drug is extremely habit-forming, which means a patient taking it may become dependent and experience withdrawal symptoms once it’s discontinued,” she told Fox News Digital.

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Lorazepam has also been found to negatively impact mood and may raise a patient’s risk of depression, Rohrscheib warned. 

“There is also clinical evidence that long-term use of these medications is associated with certain diseases, like neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia,” she added.

Mixing lorazepam with other pain-relieving medications, including opiates, could heighten the risk of serious or life-threatening problems, experts warn. (iStock)

Some studies have shown that long-term use of the medication can result in memory loss or difficulty forming new memories, alongside impairments in problem-solving, focus and attention.

Lorazepam may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation or coma if combined with certain medications, according to MedlinePlus.

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“This class of drug is extremely habit-forming, which means a patient taking it may become dependent and experience withdrawal symptoms once it’s discontinued.”

Medications that may interact with lorazepam include cough medicines or pain medicines that contain opiates, such as codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone or tramadol.

While the characters in “The White Lotus” appear to use lorazepam predominantly as a sleep aid, it’s important to note that their on-screen use mixed with alcohol can be quite dangerous.

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In the show, alcohol of every variety is flowing, with Mrs. Ratliff swigging glasses of wine in almost all of her scenes.

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Experts advise against taking lorazepam after drinking alcohol, as the combination can lead to breathing issues or difficulty waking.

The cast of HBO’s “The White Lotus” is pictured at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2025. (CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

The drug cannot be purchased over the counter. In the show, Mrs. Ratliff refilled her prescription immediately before vacation.

Those interested in taking lorazepam should see a medical professional to determine whether it is suitable and safe and to obtain a prescription.

Safer sleep alternatives

Patients suffering from insomnia and other sleep issues should try making lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy before being placed on lorazepam, Rohrscheib advised. 

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“Doctors may consider alternatives, such as over-the-counter, non-benzodiazepine medications or supplements that promote sleep, such as melatonin,” she told Fox News Digital. 

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“Additionally, it’s critical to rule out other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, which can mimic insomnia, as benzodiazepines may make sleep apnea worse.”

People can improve their quality of rest by adopting several good sleep hygiene practices, Clémence Cavaillès, Ph.D., a researcher at University of California San Francisco, previously told Fox News Digital.

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating an ideal sleep environment can help alleviate insomnia, according to experts. (iStock)

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“They can start by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day,” he said. 

“Creating an ideal sleep environment — keeping the bedroom dark, quiet and at a cool temperature — also helps.”

  

Regular exercise and exposure to natural sunlight can also improve sleep quality. 

Cavaillès also suggested avoiding screens and blue light, as well as stimulants like caffeine and alcohol. 

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“Incorporating relaxation techniques before bed, such as deep breathing or meditation, can also help prepare the body for sleep,” the researcher added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the maker of a branded lorazepam medication requesting comment.

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Katie Couric couldn’t remember the year or the president during frightening brain episode

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Katie Couric couldn’t remember the year or the president during frightening brain episode

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Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27.

In a post on Substack titled “The Day I’ll Never Remember,” she detailed a sudden episode that left her unable to recall the current month, year and president.

“I thought it was 2024. And I believed Joe Biden was president,” she wrote.

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The event occurred while Couric was attending the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, during which she participated in two public panels — one on AI and one on journalism — both of which she cannot remember at all.

“I have no idea what we talked about, or of what occurred when the panels ended,” she said.

Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27. (Getty Images)

John Molner — Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels — also shared his account.

After the event, someone told Molner that Katie wasn’t feeling well. When he reached her, an EMT and a doctor were tending to her. “I could tell something was off,” he wrote. “It could have been altitude sickness, but Katie was definitely not all there.”

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At the hospital, when Couric struggled to recall the year, the president and her grandchildren’s names, doctors began checking for a stroke.

An MRI revealed no signs of stroke, which was a relief, but “Katie’s ‘fog’ became a lot more apparent,” Molner wrote.

John Molner, Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels, also shared his account. (Getty Images)

“She repeatedly asked me the same questions: ‘What was I doing before we got to the hospital?’ ‘Why am I at the hospital?’”

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Couric was ultimately diagnosed with transient global amnesia, a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that prevents a person from forming new memories and may also erase some recent memories, according to Mayo Clinic.

“The cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself.”

It is not caused by a stroke, seizure or head injury, and it usually resolves completely within 24 hours.

“[It’s] just a very weird neural episode that’s pretty uncommon and, at least in most cases, is a ‘one and done’ experience,” Molner said.

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Couric said she finally began feeling “like herself” again around 9 p.m. and went to sleep at 2 a.m.

As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.”

As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.” (Getty Images)

Data shows that approximately three to eight people per 100,000 will have an episode of transient global amnesia, with people 50 years of age and older at higher risk.

The specific cause of TGA is not known, but some experts believe it stems from a “temporary dysfunction in the brain’s hippocampus — the area responsible for creating new memories,” Couric shared.

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“Doctors believe this is driven by brief interruptions in blood or oxygen flow, or microscopic spasm in the blood vessels.”

Episodes could potentially be triggered by intense physical exertion, emotional distress, extreme temperature changes or migraines, experts say.

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Approximately 15% of patients will have a recurrence 10 years later.

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“Why did this happen to me? Was the altitude an issue? Was I dehydrated? Tired? Stressed? The literature doesn’t seem to indicate that these are contributing factors, but the cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself,” Couric wrote.

Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise. (iStock)

“All I know is that those hours will be forever lost. Someone described it as my brain failing to hit the ‘record button.’”

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“While this was a freaky occurrence, it could have been much more serious. So ultimately, I’m relieved — even though several hours of a Saturday in June will always be missing for me.”

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Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise.

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One walking habit could signal a healthier brain after 80, scientists say

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One walking habit could signal a healthier brain after 80, scientists say

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Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.

That’s according to a recent study led by Stony Brook Medicine in New York, which evaluated the cognitive function of 4,000 adults 80 and over who participated in multiple aging and longevity studies over several years.

Among this group, 6% to 10% were classified as super movers, which means they walk at a much faster pace than others of the same age and gender — at speeds comparable to people three decades younger.

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The super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed.

The findings were published in the journal Neurology on June 16.

Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers. (iStock)

“The study reinforces that mobility and brain health are closely connected,” lead study author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, neurologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital. “This suggests that preserving mobility may be an important marker of healthy brain aging and resilience.”

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The most intriguing finding, according to Verghese, was that super movers maintained cognitive function despite having similar dementia-related brain changes as their peers.

In postmortem brain analysis, there was no difference in dementia-related pathologies between the super movers and the slower walkers, the study stated.

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“This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that help preserve brain function even in the presence of age-related changes,” he said. “Understanding these resilience factors could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy brain aging.”

As the study was observational, there were some limitations, and it does not prove that walking faster prevents dementia, the researchers noted.

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Super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed. (iStock)

“Other factors, such as cardiovascular health, physical fitness or genetics, may also contribute to both faster walking and better cognitive outcomes,” Verghese said.

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This study adds to growing evidence that what’s good for the heart and muscles also benefits the brain, he noted, adding that “staying physically active remains one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging.”

“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment.”

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“The broader message is that physical activity is important at any age,” Verghese said. “Walking is an easy step-up point because you don’t need any special equipment. You can do it inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a regular basis. You can walk with a dog, you can walk with a friend.”

Any activity is beneficial if it’s done regularly and with the right intensity, he added.

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Rather than just trying to walk faster, the neurologist recommends that seniors focus on maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, strength training, balance exercises and good cardiovascular health.

“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment,” Verghese noted.

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Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking.

Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking. (iStock)

This can be achieved by walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or about 20 to 25 minutes most days. Another option is to engage in shorter sessions that add up over the day.

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“You have to do it within your health limitations and medical conditions,” Verghese advised. “So if there are any medical concerns, I would get your physician to clear you before starting exercise.” The good thing about walking, he added, is that you can start at a slow pace and then gradually build up to a brisker pace.

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“And then adding on strength and balance training, whatever age you are, I think is also important.”

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I Tried the Viral Gelatin Weight-Loss Recipe—Here’s My Honest Take

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I Tried the Viral Gelatin Weight-Loss Recipe—Here’s My Honest Take


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I Tried the Viral Gelatin Weight-Loss Recipe: Does It Really Work?




















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