Hi Paul,
I was wondering the same thing re: "Shiat" and I think that Nicola meant the nutritional supplement called "Shilajit"? It's just a guess but it's what my naturopath has also recommended to help heal the damaged nerves in the brain while tapering very, very slowly.
She also told me the following:
Remove only an 1/8th of the amount every 2 weeks and when down to around 3 mg of diazepam, remove only a 1/16th and hold for 2 weeks again and so on until you have just crumbs - use a nail file to leave tiny amounts for another 4-8 weeks.
The absolute key here seems to be tapering tiny amounts and then holding for a few weeks (even holding for 3-4 weeks at a time if you have to, if the withdrawal symptoms are too much) and decreasing even tinier amounts the lower you get on the drug. The whole "Drop 1 mg every month" is far too brutal for the brain to cope with and that is why people are having a terrible time coming off sometimes.
As well as shilajit, bacopa (brahim) is recommended and also turmeric capsules: these are neuro-protective and heal the nerve damage. Don't use any herb or supplement that hits the GABA receptors (Valerian is out, as is St John's Wort and any other GABA antagonist).
Passiflora is also stated on Pubmed as helping with withdrawal symptoms from diazepam, do a search for that. It doesn't affect the GABA receptors yet treats anxiety.
Do not drink alcohol whilst healing, it will delay it and set you back as that also hits the GABA receptors. Your brain is more vulnerable than usual due to the withdrawal process and trying to repair itself.
Make sure you load up on magnesium citrate in supplement form (transdermal oil is the best way to get it into the system) and ensure your potassium levels are OK - eat a banana every day.
Remove caffeine *completely* preferably before you start the taper as caffeine withdrawal can have you in bed for 3-5 days with its own symptoms. Caffeine is a much stronger drug than most people realise and removing it from your diet will lessen any anxiety and insomnia. Caffeine is also very hard on the adrenal glands.
Excercise as much as possible - not aerobics as this could exacerbate symptoms, but weights and strength/resistance training - this also encourages brain healing (please Google this), there's lots of information about how it is proven to facilitate neurogenerative, neuroadaptive, and neuroprotective processes and it will also minimise anxiety and insomnia. You don't have to join or go to a gym, again, there's lots of work outs on Youtube, all you need is a set of dumbells/free weights and perhaps a mat and a chair.
Make sure your diet is clean - lots of fruits and vegetables and think about removing gluten which can also be a culprit for anxiety while tapering and 3 months after tapering ends. Use fermented cod liver oil and liquid vitamin D3 daily (this will counteract depression).
Try and only keep positive company with people who know what you're going through.
Keep a journal to track symptoms, progress and improvements. Know that healing is not a linear process, you can have three good days and then feel symptomatic again for a few days, but you will always be working towards recovery. Think of it like the Cha Cha, sometimes it's two steps forward and then one step back.
Stop watching or reading the news and take the stance that although it feeds the ego to feel "informed" about terrible events, there is nothing we can do about it so what really is the point in watching and listening to ultra depressing information 3 times a day. Unless one is prepared to get on a plane to go and help or devote one's life Mother Teresa style there is literally no point in following all the wars and disasters happening in the world. You can take up current events again once you have healed if you must.
Watch comedies, light entertainment, old black and white films, nature programmes and read only upbeat material with tales of redemption and the strength and beauty of the human spirit. Depressing stories/films and blood and gore and thrillers can wait until you are healed.
Meditation is free and there's lots of guided relaxation uploads on Youtube, take advantage of them.
For obsessive, unwanted and intrusive thoughts while tapering and healing look at the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also free to learn on Youtube.
If you find the physical anxiety is really bad such as shaking hands and racing heart, ask your doctor for some propranolol - a beta blocker - which will help with that.
Try not to fret about being in benzo withdrawal, remember that many, many people are going through it and 90% of people fully recover - the other 10% have generally gone cold turkey or tapered too quickly. Stop reading the horror stories on the internet, they are extreme cases and some people may have comorbid conditions. Regardless, they are not useful to your healing journey.
And lastly, remember the motto "This too shall pass". Because it always does.
I hope this helps someone. Good luck to everyone making this important step to reclaim their health. You really will recover and heal and afterwards you will be wiser and stronger in mind, body and spirit.