Final answer:
Physical activity can help reduce anxiety symptoms in some individuals as effectively as drugs, but effectiveness may vary. Anxiolytics, which are a class of drugs, act on the central nervous system to induce a calming effect. Drugs that activate GABA receptors generally have a depressant effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: Physical activity (PA) reduces symptoms of anxiety as much as drugs.
This statement is partially true. Studies have shown that physical activity can be beneficial in reducing symptoms of anxiety, providing a natural and non-pharmacological therapy option. However, the effectiveness of physical activity compared to medication can vary from person to person. While for some individuals, physical activity might indeed alleviate anxiety symptoms as effectively as antidepressant medication, others may find medication to be more helpful or may need a combination of both. Additionally, certain medications like anxiolytics, which are prescribed by physicians, work specifically on the central nervous system by influencing neurotransmitters such as GABA to induce a calming effect.
Benzodiazepines and barbiturates are two classes of drugs that activate GABA receptors. Because these receptors are associated with inhibitory or 'calming' signals within the brain, drugs that activate GABA receptors tend to have a depressant effect, leading to reduced anxiety and sedation.