White Lotus Effect: Lorazepam Searches Spike 99%
- Nov 20
- 2 min read
Life imitates art, or so the saying goes, but a new study suggests that popular television may inadvertently drive interest in prescription drug misuse. Researchers analyzed Google search data and found that the HBO hit series "The White Lotus" may have dramatically increased public interest in the powerful anti-anxiety medication lorazepam.
Following the premiere of the series’ third season, Internet searches related to lorazepam doubled. Researchers, including lead author Dr. Kevin Yang and senior researcher Eric Leas, reported that the spike was significant, calculating an extra 1.6 million searches for lorazepam over a 12-week period. This level was nearly 99% higher than prior search trends would have predicted. This increase was specific to lorazepam, as no corresponding surge was observed for other common benzodiazepines like alprazolam or clonazepam, which were not featured in the show.
The focus on the prescription drug stems from the actions of characters Victoria Ratliff, who takes lorazepam for social anxiety and sleep issues, and her husband, Timothy. Timothy begins sneaking his wife’s pills to cope with the stress of a brewing financial scandal. Their misuse often involved combining the powerful benzodiazepine with alcohol, which Dr. Kevin Yang noted is "very dangerous". Both characters are portrayed as becoming visibly "loopy," slurring their words, slumping, or staggering.
The concern for researchers intensified upon analyzing queries related to acquisition. Searches indicating an attempt to acquire lorazepam increased to levels nearly 64% higher than usual, representing an additional 30,000 searches. Senior researcher Eric Leas stated that this shows "there might be a subset of people that are actually wanting to figure out how to obtain that medication online".
Experts are particularly troubled because the show did not fully explore the serious risks associated with lorazepam usage. Dr. Yang noted that lorazepam is typically prescribed only for the short term, as long-term use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and misuse. Studies show that almost one in five people prescribed benzodiazepines eventually misuse them.
The show, however, failed to portray adverse effects such as addiction, overdose, dependence, respiratory depression, or cognitive impairment.
As a response to this TV Depiction Drug Search Spike, Dr. Yang recommended that the entertainment industry consider including warnings at the beginning and end of episodes depicting drug use to better inform viewers. He also urged viewers to approach media portrayals with skepticism—to "take everything that is portrayed in the media... with a grain of salt". Ultimately, viewers should consult a doctor regarding medication.
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Keywords: Lorazepam
Lorazepam
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