How do tranquilizers relieve anxiety or stress?

Tranquilizers, also known as anxiolytics, primarily relieve anxiety and stress by inducing a sense of well-being. They often work by enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This increase in GABA activity results in a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing feelings of anxiety and promoting relaxation. By fostering a sense of well-being, tranquilizers can significantly diminish the psychological symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, allowing individuals to feel more at ease.

The other options do not accurately characterize how tranquilizers function. Stimulating adrenaline release would typically lead to increased alertness and possibly anxiety, while blocking pain signals is the mechanism of analgesics, not anxiolytics. Increasing metabolic rate is associated with stimulants, not with the calming effects of tranquilizers, which aim to reduce physiological activity and promote relaxation instead.