• Psychology -> Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology

• 0 Comment

What is the history behind the development of anxiolytics and its impact in the field of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology?

Kellie Robjents

The development of anxiolytics is a fascinating journey that dates back to the early 1950s. Before this time, people with anxiety disorders were often prescribed sedatives or alcohol to manage their symptoms. However, these substances were highly addictive and had numerous side effects.

In 1955, the first benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide, was synthesized by Leo Sternbach. It quickly became one of the most widely used anxiolytics in the world. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, which helps to calm down an overly active nervous system.

Over the next few decades, various benzodiazepines were developed, including diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), and alprazolam (Xanax). These drugs were extremely effective at reducing anxiety symptoms and were soon widely prescribed by psychiatrists and primary care physicians.

However, as time went on, researchers began to uncover the negative aspects of long-term benzodiazepine use. These drugs can be highly addictive, and users often develop tolerance, meaning they need increased doses to achieve the same effect. Furthermore, withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be extremely painful and even life-threatening.

As a result, many researchers began to look for alternative anxiolytics that could be used for long-term anxiety management. One such class of drugs is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which work by increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and anxiety levels.

SSRIs have proven to be highly effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, and they have a much lower risk of addiction and tolerance development than benzodiazepines. Some common SSRIs used for anxiety treatment include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).

In recent years, researchers have made significant advances in the field of psychopharmacology, identifying new drugs that could revolutionize anxiety treatment. One such drug is ketamine, which has shown great promise in treating treatment-resistant anxiety and depression.

Overall, the development of anxiolytics has had a profound impact on the field of neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. These drugs have helped millions of people to manage their anxiety symptoms and improve their quality of life. However, there is still much more to learn about the human brain and how we can best treat anxiety. As research in this field continues, we can expect to see more novel and effective treatments for anxiety disorders emerge.