agonsts are drugs that mimick the effects of a neurotransmitter by binding to the receptor site on the post-synaptic neuron and activating it. Antagonists are drugs that mimick the effects of a neurotransmitter by binding to the receptor site on the post-synaptic neuron and blocking it
KKDP 11 GABA dysfunction results in low levels of GABA and therefore there can be an overexcitation of the post synaptic neuron - leading to higher than usual anxiety; somethingn that is symptomatic of specific phobia.
benzodiazipine' is a GABA agonist - a drug that increases the efficiency of the inhibitiory actions of the GABA receptor sites on the post synaptic neurons - it does produce more GABA - it mimics the effects of GABA, acting as a key that binds to the post synaptic neurons receptor site and unlocking GABA reception, but also increasing its effciciency of inhibitory action by making the receptors more sensitive to GABA. This means that more inhibitory action occurs at the post synaptic receptors for GABA with less GABA. So in turn, benzodiazipine increases inhibition and the over arousal of the nervous system, likely returning it to parasympathetic arousal and reducing the stress response and anxiety, which in turn decreases the likely impact of the phobic stimulus