Anxiotropic

An anxiotropic (/ˌæŋksiəˈtɹoʊpɪk/) agent is one that modifies the emotion, anxiety, which is associated with excessive worry and fear, an elevated heart rate, and feelings of irritability, restlessness, and panic. Anxiety is also a highly prevalent psychiatric condition that affects a significant portion of the population and can often have debilitating effects. Many animals also exhibit features of anxiety, specifically when presented novel or predatory stimuli. These similarities make animal models a useful tool in understanding anxiety in humans, specifically animals that are genetically similar to humans, such as rodents and zebrafish (Danio reriro).

In psychopharmacology, anxiotropic agents consist of two categories of psychoactive drugs: anxiolytics that reduce anxiety and may be used therapeutically, and anxiogenic compounds that increase anxiety.

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