Diazepam

Diazepam (first marketed as Valium) is a fast-acting, long-lasting benzodiazepine. Numerous problems, such as anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, muscle spasms, sleeplessness, and restless legs syndrome are frequently treated with it. Additionally, it could be administered during several medical operations to cause memory loss. It can be ingested orally, injected into the rectum, vein, or muscle, or sprayed into the nose. It can be detected in the body for up to 90 days. Depending on the route, you may begin to feel its effects anywhere from a minute to an hour after administration.

Before the invention of Diazepam, related drugs weren't sold as a "cure" for anxiety, but as a way to help people engage in psychotherapy, which was seen as the real solution. In 1959, Polish-American chemist Leo Sternbach and his research group chemically altered Librium to produce Diazepam - a cheaper, easily available drug, and made a huge impact. Diazepam created a culture of managing stress and anxiety with medication and paved the way for modern antidepressants. Therefore, it is now on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

Discovered in: 1959

Discovered by: Leo Sternbach

Usage: Treat anxiety