Final answer:
Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory action of GABA in the brain, leading to sedation, decreased anxiety, and muscle relaxation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory action of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain. GABA is one of the most common neurotransmitters in the brain and has an inhibitory effect on cells. Benzodiazepines, along with other drugs like ethanol and barbiturates, work by increasing the activity of GABA receptors, leading to sedation, decreased anxiety, and muscle relaxation. Specifically, activation of GABAA receptors by benzodiazepines increases the influx of chloride ions (Cl-) through the GABA-gated chloride channels embedded in neuron membranes, leading to hyperpolarization of the neuron and a decrease in neuronal excitability.