TV Show Sparks Surge in Drug Searches: What's the Deal?

A recent study has uncovered an interesting trend: after the release of the third season of the popular TV show "The White Lotus, " there was a significant increase in online searches for lorazepam. This drug, also known as Ativan, is a type of benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego, analyzed Google search data. They found that searches for lorazepam remained steady from January 2022 until the end of the first week of February 2025. However, after the third season of "The White Lotus" premiered on February 16, searches for lorazepam skyrocketed and stayed high for the next 12 weeks. The researchers noted that there were nearly twice as many searches for lorazepam during this period as would normally be expected. This amounts to about 1. 6 million additional searches. Additionally, there was a 64% increase in searches about how to obtain lorazepam, reflecting around 30, 000 extra searches. Interestingly, no similar spikes were observed for searches related to other benzodiazepines like alprazolam or clonazepam, which were not mentioned in the show. This suggests that the mention of lorazepam in "The White Lotus" directly influenced the surge in searches. Experts are concerned about this trend. Dr. Olivia Maynard of the University of Bristol pointed out that the show's portrayal of lorazepam could lead people to explore purchasing benzodiazepines online. She warned that the illicit production of these drugs is a major issue, with many products being incorrectly dosed or containing entirely different substances. In some cases, illicit "benzodiazepines" have been found to contain nitazenes, a dangerous synthetic opioid that can cause overdose or even death. This highlights the risks associated with obtaining drugs from unregulated sources. The study also noted that "The White Lotus" did not adequately portray the risks of suddenly stopping lorazepam, which can cause panic attacks, agitation, and seizures. Additionally, the show did not convey the dangers of drinking alcohol while taking benzodiazepines, which can lead to severe breathing problems and difficulty waking up. Researchers suggest that the entertainment industry should develop best practices for portraying prescription medications in TV shows. They propose including health information panels to address viewers' curiosity and provide accurate information. Harry Sumnall, a professor of substance use at Liverpool John Moores University, offered a different perspective. He acknowledged that incorporating health advice into entertainment shows could be useful but noted that it might not be realistic from a creative standpoint. He emphasized the importance of enforcement actions against illicit manufacturers and unregulated providers, as well as prescriber education to address over-prescribing and inappropriate use of potentially harmful medicines.