Benzos What receptors/neurotrasmitters does etizolam (and other benzos) target?

[lightblue543]

I know GABA is a one, unsure if it's GABA B or A though, but, what other ones? Really doubt it targets serotonin but maybe dopamine?

Thanks. Hopefully this thread will be useful for those experimenting with these drugs.

Little info online by the looks of it.

 

[Dr. Extract]

Benzos are GABA A Positive allosteric modulators. This means that they increase the potential that gamma aminobutyric acid has at GABA A receptors by binding to the BZP site on the aforementioned receptor. Serotonin and dopamine (norepinephrine too) are like the 1s and 0s of the brain; at a certain point, downstream or directly, most drugs with notable psychological effects will cause some change in these. Some benzos have mild affinities that aren't related to their GABA actions but by and large benzo/thieno pharmacology is going to center around the GABA complex.

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

Predominately GABA.

 

[Hodor]

As Dr extract said, they're GABA A positive allosteric modulators.

"Allosteric" means they're not docking at the same binding site that GABA itself does, and that instead they're binding to a different location on the receptor, intensifying the receptor's reaction to actual GABA (hence "positive modulators").

Each GABA-A receptor consists of five subunits which come in different subtypes, and certain benzodiazepines are more selective for one subtype than others, explaining the slight differences in terms of their effects (ex.: some benzos being more anxiolytic and less sedating).