Anxiolytics are a class of substances that depress/reduce nervous system activity known as depressants and are are used to combat anxiety. Barbiturate drugs ("downers") are a powerful sedative anxiolytic and have dangerous addiction and overdose potential. Benzodiazepine agonists are a class of anti anxiety drugs that bind to sites on GABA A receptors to reduce anxiety symptoms. 

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Some major categories of psychoactive drugs impact and affect behavior: 
- antipsychotics relieve schizophrenia
- antidepressants reduce chronic mood problems
- anxiolytics combat anxiety
- opiates relieve pain

Neuroactive drugs used to ease the symptoms of injury or psychiatric illness

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Antipsychotics are a class of drug that alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia. Typical antipsychotics relieve positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions by the antagonism of dopamine D2 receptors. Atypical antipsychotics (atypical neuroleptics) reduce negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as the impairment or loss of behavior, by  dopaminergic activity and additional non-dopaminergic actions.

Antipsychotics relieve schizophrenia

Antidepressants are a class of drug that relieve the symptoms of depression. Tricyclic antidepressants act by increasing the synaptic accumulation of serotonin and norepinephrine. New antidepressant drug classes include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) that both work to block the reuptake of transmitters. 

Antidepressants reducing chronic mood problems

Anxiolytics combat anxiety

Morphine is the major active substance in opium, a heterogeneous extract, is a very effective analgesic. Opiates such as morphine, heroin, and codeine bind to one of the three opioid receptors: delta, kappa, and/or mu opioid receptors. 

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