How Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Feel?

Muscle pain and spasms can range from mildly annoying to completely debilitating. The underlying cause (injury, stress, chronic conditions, etc.) strongly influences the frequency and intensity of the pain.

For many, muscle relaxers make the difference between being able to function throughout the day and being confined to their bed. Many people about to take muscle relaxers for the first time ask, How do muscle relaxers make you feel?

The short answer is that muscle relaxers partially or fully alleviate the pain while potentially causing drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, and a range of less common symptoms.[1] Dosage level, formulation, your metabolism, and several other factors can affect how you experience these symptoms, if at all. Understanding how muscle relaxers work is helpful when gauging their effects on your body and your state of mind.

Muscle Relaxers 101

Muscle relaxers are a class of prescription medications formulated to alleviate muscle spasms, tension, and associated pain. Healthcare providers commonly prescribe muscle relaxers for neck and back injuries and pain flare-ups related to various conditions.[2] Some muscle relaxers interact with the nervous system, while others go directly to the muscle fibers.

How Muscle Relaxers Work

Most muscle relaxers, including methocarbamol, decrease muscle activity by acting as central nervous system (CNS) depressants.[3] This means they interact directly with the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to reduce the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract and spasm.

CNS depressants don’t just target muscle tissue, which is one reason why most muscle relaxers come with additional side effects. The calming effect also slows down brain activity associated with your energy level and mood.

Alternatively, some muscle relaxers block sodium channels in nerve membranes.[4] Because sodium activity is essential for muscle contraction, interfering with sodium channels can decrease the intensity and frequency of muscle contractions. Some muscle relaxers rely on both CNS depression and sodium channel activity to exert their effects.

Common Types of Muscle Relaxers

Medical professionals choose between a range of muscle relaxers to best accommodate their patients’ needs. Some muscle relaxers are less likely to cause drowsiness, and some are more effective for nerve-related spasticity.

The following is a quick breakdown of commonly prescribed muscle relaxers:

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril): The most commonly prescribed muscle relaxer. It works similarly to antidepressants and causes significant drowsiness.[5]

Carisoprodol (Soma): Metabolizes into a compound similar to anxiety medications. Known for its relaxing and euphoric effects.[6]

Methocarbamol (Robaxin): Generally causes less drowsiness than other options. Often chosen for daytime use.[7]

Tizanidine (Zanaflex): Works as an alpha-2 agonist. It can cause significant blood pressure changes and drowsiness.[8]

Baclofen: Primarily used for spasticity from neurological conditions, like multiple sclerosis (MS), Cerebral palsy (CP), and others. It can cause weakness and cognitive effects.[9]

Safety Profiles

Research shows that muscle relaxers carry significant side effects and risks. Drowsiness affects nearly all users to some degree.[10]

Other common safety concerns include:

• Falls due to dizziness and weakness
• Cognitive impairment and confusion
• Potential for dependence and withdrawal
• Dangerous interactions with alcohol and other medications

Short-term use typically presents fewer risks than long-term treatment. Most healthcare providers recommend using these medications for 2-3 weeks maximum.

How Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Feel?

Muscle relaxers cannot isolate muscle relaxation as their only effect when interacting with the central nervous system. The effects of muscle relaxers are referred to as “global” or “systemic,” meaning they have a broader impact on your physical and mental state.

Physical Sensations

Drowsiness and Fatigue: The most universal effect of muscle relaxers is sleepiness.[11] This occurs because these medications slow down central nervous system activity.

Most people feel tired within 30 minutes of taking their dose. The drowsiness can be profound, making it difficult to stay awake during normal activities.

Muscle Weakness: While these medications reduce painful muscle tension, they also decrease overall muscle strength.[12] You might feel physically weak or unsteady.

Dizziness and Lightheadedness: Changes in blood pressure and brain chemistry cause balance problems. Standing up quickly often triggers these sensations.

Dry Mouth: Many muscle relaxers affect saliva production.[13] This creates an uncomfortable dry feeling in your mouth and throat.

Mental and Emotional Effects

Brain Fog: Studies indicate that muscle relaxers can impair thinking and memory. Concentration becomes difficult, and decision-making suffers.[14]

Mood Changes: Some people experience euphoria or relaxation beyond physical relief. Others may feel depressed or emotionally numb.

Confusion: Higher doses or sensitive individuals may experience disorientation. This includes difficulty remembering recent events or following conversations.

How Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Feel the Next Day?

Many people experience lingering effects the day after taking muscle relaxers, particularly grogginess and continued muscle weakness.

Morning-After Effects

Hangover-Like Symptoms: Similar to alcohol, muscle relaxers can cause next-day fatigue and mental fog. This occurs because these medications take time to clear your system fully.

Residual Drowsiness: Even after a whole night’s sleep, you might feel tired and sluggish. This effect is particularly common with longer-acting medications like cyclobenzaprine.[15]

Continued Weakness: Muscle strength may remain reduced the following day. Activities requiring coordination or strength feel more challenging than usual.

Factors Affecting Next-Day Symptoms

Several factors influence how you feel the morning after taking muscle relaxers. These include the dosage level, when you took your last dose, your individual metabolism, and your age.

Abuse Potential and Dependency Risks

Certain muscle relaxers carry a higher abuse potential than others. Carisoprodol (Soma), for example, is broken down by the body into compounds that cause euphoria.[16] Several countries have stopped marketing Carisoprodol for this reason.

Other muscle relaxers can cause relaxing effects through sedation. Being able to recognize the warning signs of misuse is crucial in preventing serious side effects and/or an overdose.

These warning signs include combining the medication with alcohol, taking it at higher doses than prescribed, using it more frequently than prescribed, and continuing to use the medication after the pain has been resolved.

Managing Muscle Relaxer Effects

You and your physician should make medication decisions together. That is usually the best practice when establishing the safe use of your muscle relaxer medication.

You may be advised to time your use of the medication to avoid being under its effects while performing more demanding or potentially dangerous activities. This includes driving and operating machinery. If you work away from home during the day, you may be advised to take your medication after you’ve finished for the day.

Staying hydrated helps to combat dry mouth, a potential symptom of muscle relaxers, while improving your ability to metabolize the medication. Nutrition and sleep are also essential to preventing digestive discomfort and managing drowsiness.

If you notice any more serious symptoms, including severe confusion, breathing difficulties, or chest pain, immediately seek medical attention.

Are There Effective Alternatives to Muscle Relaxers?

Several other strategies can be used to complement or replace muscle relaxers, although they are often not as potent for moderate to severe pain as medication.

Non-Medication Alternatives

Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises and stretches address underlying muscle problems without the side effects of medication.

Heat and Cold Therapy: Applied strategically, temperature therapy reduces muscle tension and pain naturally.

Massage Therapy: Professional massage releases muscle knots and improves circulation safely.

Stress Management: Since stress contributes to muscle tension, relaxation techniques provide lasting benefits.

When to Consider Alternatives

If muscle relaxer side effects significantly impact your daily life, discuss alternatives with your healthcare provider. Some people benefit from lower doses combined with other treatments.

Chronic muscle problems often respond better to comprehensive treatment plans that incorporate one or more of the above elements in addition to medication.

Taking Control of Your Recovery

Muscle relaxers are typically intended to be short-term solutions, and when used as directed, are not highly likely to be abused by people with no history of substance abuse. However, they are still misused every day, whether or not they were initially obtained through a legitimate prescription.

If you’re struggling with muscle relaxer dependence or concerning side effects, know that professional services are available to compassionately and patiently assist you in your recovery.

Recovery programs understand the complexities of prescription medication problems and provide comprehensive support tailored to you.

Find the help you need today and move on with a brighter outlook on life.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Muscle Relaxers Make You Feel