Effects of benzodiazepines
 
Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, have a calming and muscle-relaxing effect. They are also anxiolytics and antispasmodics (antiepileptics) and facilitate sleep. 

Benzodiazepines produce these effects by binding to the binding sites (receptors) of the body's neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA makes it difficult for neurons to get excited, thereby preventing the transmission of nerve signals. Benzodiazepines increase the effects of GABA. This makes neurons even harder to excite.

The corresponding effect depends on which region of brain neurons is suppressed:

• Anxiolytic: Benzodiazepines inhibit nerve cells in the limbic system, a part of the brain that processes emotions such as fear.
•      calming and sleep-promoting: these effects are caused by benzodiazepines by inhibiting nerve cells in the brainstem.
•      Muscle-relaxing (muscle-relaxing): This effect is mainly due to the inhibition of the nerve cells in the spinal cord.
•      Antispasmodic (anticonvulsant): During seizures, excited nerve cells predominate.
•     Benzodiazepines dampen the nerve cells and correct the imbalance in the brain.
•      hypnotic (amnestic): benzodiazepines trigger anterograde amnesia. The patient no longer remembers, for example, surgical interventions during the effect of the drug.