Which class of drugs enhances the action of GABA, leading to a calming effect?

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that enhance the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits central nervous system activity. By increasing GABA's effects, benzodiazepines promote a calming effect on the brain, leading to reduced anxiety, sedation, and muscle relaxation. This mechanism makes benzodiazepines effective for treating anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, and other conditions where a calming effect is desired.

Hypnotics can refer to various drugs used to induce sleep, but this term is broader and doesn’t specify the mechanism of action, which is specifically tied to benzodiazepines and similar medications. Depressants is a general term that can describe any substance that slows down brain activity, but again, it does not exclusively refer to the mechanism involving GABA. Stimulants, on the other hand, have the opposite effect as they increase neuronal activity and are not involved in the calming process facilitated by GABA. Thus, the specific action of enhancing GABA that is characteristic of benzodiazepines makes this class of drugs the correct answer regarding calming effects.