Neuroendocrine effects of diazepam in normal subjects following brief painful stress

The neuroendocrine effects of 5 and 10 mg of oral diazepam were assessed in 10 normal subjects under baseline (prestress) and laboratory-controlled stressful conditions. Although the 10-mg diazepam dose had no effect on cortisol at baseline, it significantly reduced the increase in cortisol produced by 15 minutes of exposure to a painful electrical stimulus. There were no significant effects on growth hormone, beta-endorphin or ACTH, either at baseline or after painful stimulation.