Antagonists in AP Psychology

Definition

Antagonists are substances that bind to receptors in the brain but do not activate them. Instead, they block or inhibit receptor activity, preventing neurotransmitters from exerting their effects.

Related terms

Competitive Antagonists: These substances compete with neurotransmitters for receptor binding sites, effectively blocking their action.

Inverse Agonists: Unlike traditional antagonists that simply block receptor activity, inverse agonists produce an opposite effect by reducing basal neural activity even below normal levels.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):

These medications specifically block serotonin reuptake transporters, leading to increased serotonin levels and improved mood.