How Does Anti-Anxiety Medication Work?
About Anti-Anxiety Drugs There are several different classes of anti-anxiety drugs, each of which has its own mechanism of action. Benzodiazapenes Benzodiazapenes such as Klonopin, Xanax and Ativan have sedative and anticonvulsant properties. They depress the central nervous system by acting on the receptors of the neurotransmitter GABA. The benzodiazapene binds to the receptor, causing it to have a higher affinity for GABA, which acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This causes depression of the central nervous system, which is often overactive in those with anxiety disorders. Benzodiazapenes have the potential for addiction and are sometimes used as recreational drugs. Serotonin Other anti-anxiety drugs work on the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin plays a role in multiple physiological processes and has effects on sleep, appetite, mood, metabolism and body temperature. The drug BuSpar is thought to work on a specific serotonin receptor, 5-HT1A, and potentiates serotonin’s inh
