Which class of drugs block cholinergic receptors and produce effects opposite to "rest and digest"?

Anticholinergic drugs are designed to block the action of acetylcholine at cholinergic receptors, thereby leading to effects that oppose the "rest and digest" responses typically mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system. These drugs can cause a range of physiological changes, such as increased heart rate, decreased secretions (like saliva), and relaxation of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, which is in stark contrast to the calming and restorative functions championed by cholinergic activity.

In contrast, antiadrenergic and adrenergic drugs focus on the adrenergic receptors involved in the "fight or flight" response, which is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. Cholinergic drugs, on the other hand, enhance the actions of acetylcholine and mimic the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system rather than blocking it. Thus, anticholinergic drugs specifically counteract the effects associated with "rest and digest," making them the correct choice for this question.