Final answer:
An agonist is a drug that activates a receptor, helping a neurotransmitter bind or triggering an action potential in some other way. They can increase the activity of specific neurotransmitters. For example, GABA agonists increase the activity of GABA receptors in the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
An agonist is a drug that activates a receptor, helping a neurotransmitter bind or triggering an action potential in some other way.
For example, consider the neurotransmitter GABA, which normally has an inhibitory effect on cells. GABA agonists, such as ethanol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines, increase its activity by promoting the activity of GABA receptors in the brain.
This is opposite to an antagonist, which blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor site.