Anxiolytic

"Anxiolytic" refers broadly to any substance or drug that reduces anxiety. It is *not* itself a molecule or biological target but rather describes an effect produced by diverse classes of medications acting through different mechanisms. The most common anxiolytics are benzodiazepines—which enhance GABAergic inhibition via positive allosteric modulation at GABA-A receptors—and certain antidepressants like SSRIs/SNRIs that increase serotonergic neurotransmission. Some agents act directly on specific subtypes of serotonin receptors. Because "anxiolytic" denotes an action rather than an entity, it cannot be mapped to one canonical structure or abbreviation; instead, it encompasses multiple pharmacological strategies targeting different proteins within neural circuits regulating fear and stress responses.[1][3][5][7]

Other names

Anti-anxiety agentTranquilizerMinor tranquilizer

Drugs with anxiolytic effects act via several mechanisms:\n- Positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors by benzodiazepines and barbiturates increases inhibitory neurotransmission in the CNS[1][3][7].\n- Inhibition of serotonin reuptake by SSRIs/SNRIs increases synaptic serotonin levels in key brain regions involved in mood regulation[5].\n- Direct agonism at certain serotonin receptors (e.g., buspirone at the serotonin 1A receptor)[7].