Posted by viridis on January 9, 2003, at 23:30:14
In reply to Re: Xanax and Klonopin. Madness!, posted by BrittPark on January 9, 2003, at 20:00:22
BrittPark's explanation is right -- benzos bind to sites on a receptor on the surface of certain nerve cells that, in turn, send messages to other nerve cells. Binding of benzos increases the affinity of the receptor for the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA regulates the activity of these cells, essentially making them less likely to send out "emergency" signals that provoke an anxiety response when there really isn't an emergency. Anxiety disorders (and some forms of epilepsy) are thought to result from hyperexcitability of the GABA-sensitive neurons, probably because they aren't effectively binding enough GABA and thus aren't being adequately regulated.
There's probably some connection with the serotonin system (most of these neurotransmitters affect one another in some way), but as far as I know, benzos don't act directly on serotonin levels or binding.
poster:viridis
thread:135035
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030106/msgs/135158.html