Describe two major pharmacological differences between alcohol and the short acting benzodiazepines

What will be an ideal response?


Alcohol has a generalized action on all neurons because it fluidizes the neuronal membranes and exerts effects on a variety of neurotransmitters systems, e.g., NMDA and GABA, whereas benzodiazepines bind specifically to GABA receptors. Alcohol has a relatively low therapeutic index and exerts toxic effects on numerous organs of the body, e.g., liver, brain, whereas benzodiazepines have a relatively high therapeutic index and exerts minimal toxic effects on the body. Alcohol tends to elevate P450 enzymes, while benzodiazepines tend not to. Alcohol tends to suppress REM sleep, whereas benzodiazepines tend to interfere with deeper stages of sleep.

Psychology

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