I went off benzos twice, cold turkey, without noticing it (once it was Lorazepam and once it was Klonopin). Everyone is different. I think most people, from what I can see reading this board, experience a very unpleasant withdrawal.

@Moose72, I keep myself available at the Stanford clinical studies list but I still do not qualify for any study. It is one thing or another, but I keep trying and am found unfit.

I did participate in a Parkinson's research study last summer. I carry a gene mutation of Parkinson's. They flew me to Portland, Oregon for free (I had never been there before and it was a short vacation for me to explore the beautiful city with an amazing rose garden and majestic Northwest waterfalls) and paid me $200 for the study. They are now looking for healthy controls for this study (people who do not carry a mutation). If you would like to fly to Portland, Oregon, I will provide the email address to connect you with the study coordinator. The study involves a blood test and a spinal puncture. The puncture did not hurt.