What neurotransmitter do benzodiazepines enhance to reduce anxiety?

Benzodiazepines primarily work by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. By increasing GABA’s activity, benzodiazepines help to promote a calming effect, which is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing anxiety. This mechanism makes them effective anxiolytics, as the increased GABAergic activity suppresses excessive neural firing that is often associated with anxiety disorders.

In contrast, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are other neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and stress responses, but they do not play a direct role in the action of benzodiazepines. While these neurotransmitters are involved in various ways in mental health, they are not the primary target of benzodiazepine medications delivering their anxiolytic effects.