A new study published in Scientific Reports sheds light on the lasting effects of the drug alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, when used during adolescence. Using male mice as their subjects, the researchers discovered that exposure to this drug at a young age could enhance the animals’ sensitivity to opiates, such as morphine, even long after the drug exposure has ceased. This research highlights the potentially negative long-term consequences of using certain medications during critical developmental stages. Benzodiazepines, including alprazolam, are frequently prescribed to treat anxiety, …