Final answer:
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that reduce anxiety symptoms and are frequently used as sleeping pills. They work as agonists of the GABA neurotransmitter, resulting in sedative and anxiolytic effects. Beta-blockers can also be used on a short-term basis for the physical symptoms of anxiety.
Step-by-step explanation:
A major class of anxiety-reducing drugs, benzodiazepines, appears to reduce the symptoms of anxiety without substantially interfering with an individual's ability to function in daily life. Their most frequent use of these drugs is as sleeping pills. Benzodiazepines have a calming effect on the brain by acting as agonists of the gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system, which has a quieting effect on the brain activity.
Examples of benzodiazepines include Alprazolam (Xanax), Bromazepam, Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), among others. These drugs are used in various therapeutic applications such as sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics for panic disorder, muscle relaxants, in anesthesia, as well as in alcohol withdrawal management.
Beta-blockers are also used in managing physical symptoms of anxiety, like trembling and rapid heartbeat, especially for short-term relief in acute situations. However, the use of these medications, especially for sleep disorders like insomnia, must be carefully managed, considering the risks of overmedication and the effectiveness of alternative treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.