How does anti anxiety medication work?

Picture this: it’s Monday morning and you are on your way to a job that you dread. The mere thought of walking through those doors fills you with so much anxiety, that you feel like the walls are closing in around you. Suddenly, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: anti-anxiety medication!

But wait…how does it work? What magic potion is this that can turn the overwhelming weight of Monday mornings into just another day at the office? Fear not (although fear may be one reason why we’re here), for today we discuss exactly how these miracle drugs work!

Where Do Anti-Anxiety Drugs Come From?

Before delving into the meat and potatoes, let’s take a minute to look at where these drugs come from. It all starts with pharmaceutical labs filled with scientists who spend countless hours testing various chemicals in hopes of finding something that works.

After years of research, they finally identify compounds which have been shown to help alleviate anxiety symptoms by targeting areas in our body responsible for regulating emotions.

But First…How Does Anxiety Even Work?

To understand how these medications work, we must first look at what causes anxiety in our bodies. Whenever we perceive something as being dangerous or threatening, our amygdala (part of brain essential for processing emotions) triggers an alarm system in response to perceived threats causing a chain reaction both physical and psychological.

And this my friend is where things get interesting…

Enter Our Hero: Benzodiazepines

One type of anti-anxiety medication commonly prescribed by healthcare professionals (do NOT self-medicate people) are benzodiazepines (yes say Benzos) . These meds bind quickly and efficiently to receptors called GABA-A receptors located within parts part deep down inside neurons found in our brains.

What happens next? Well I will tell you! Benzodiazepines increase the effectiveness of a chemical called Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid aka GABA. And as we mentioned earlier, GABA is responsible for reducing overall activity in certain parts of our brain that trigger feelings like-anxiety, and stress Hallelujah!

Things to keep in mind about benzodiazepines include:

  • Short term use recommended only
  • Potential addiction/dependence (that sucks)
  • Rapid onset sedation due to smaller half-life
  • Reduced dosages are given to patients with liver or kidney issues

Benzos work against anxiety very impressively but sometimes there arrives unfortunate side effects which could put you through another phase so always keeping these things medical supervision.

How About Antidepressants?

While often prescribed for depression Antidepressants have also been shown useful at reducing common symptoms of anxiety covering many different types. These meds don’t directly affect the glutamine levels per se but actually boost neurotransmitter serotonin and norepinephrine levels two thumbs up!

This increase helps regulate mood leading eventually wider range emotions heping them be controlled much better than before.

Common antidepressant medications used for treatment:

  • Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) : Venlafaxine, Duloxetine
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) : Prozac, Zoloft

May cause sleep problems acne but those normally mellow out over time though contact your healthcare provider if persists too long.

So we see how Anti-depressants help reduce typical malaise stemming from generalised anxieties by levelling up these chemicals primarily related towards bolstering reactions coming from emotional cues although their effect is more consistent over time.

What Other Anti-Anxiety Treatments Are Available?

We’ve perhaps heard of other treatment methods aside from taking pills. Some other useful ways to alleviate anxiety would be:

  • Therapy/Counseling
  • Yoga/Meditation
  • Cognitive Behavioural therapy

These methods are quite helpful and advisable along with traditional medication treatments enhancing their effect towards overall mental health but for some using plans only goes so far while they still experience day-to-day disruption due to symptom recurrence resulting in a more targeted, precise course of approach.

In [Summary] One size might not fit all!

Anti-anxiety medications come in different forms having varying body effects the two biggest groups being benzodiazepines and antidepressants named after their primary function modification tools Benzodiazepinea help regulate activities within emotions related regions whereas antidepressants primarily uplift serotonin/norepinephrine levels both having significant positive effects though always keep under professional medical care especially when these lead potential addiction or dependence – that does happen! Therefore keeping parallel therapeutic interventions might yield optimum benefits including yoga/meditation ,CBT.

So next time you’re anxiously headed into work, remember there’s likely an answer without endangering your health going down slopes of self-medication staying under proper guidance!

Random Posts