Biological methods of stress management

The difference between biological and psychological is that biological refers to processes in the body whereas psychological refers to processes in the mind. 

There are two types of drug therapies:

1. Benzodiazepines (BZs)

2. Beta-blockers (BBs)

Benzodiazepines

This is the most common drug used to treat stress and anxiety and they slow down the central nervous system (CNS) activity

• GABA is a neurotransmitter responsible for natural anxiety relief in the body
• 40% of neurones in the brain respond to GABA
• when released, the neurones in the brain relax
• it does this by reacting with GABA receptors which then opens a channel increasing the flow of chloride ions into the neuron
• chloride ions make it harder for the neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, thus slowing down its activity and making the person feel more relaxed
• BZs enhance the action of GABA
• BZs also reduce the serotonin activity in the brain as this is the neurotransmitter which causes the arousal, this also reduces anxiety.

Summary of BZs 

- BZs slow down the CNS

- BZs increase GABA             = LESS STRESS!

- BZs decrease serotonin

Beta-blockers (BBs)

          activates          …