What do psychotropic medications primarily affect?

Psychotropic medications are designed to influence the chemical balance in the brain, which directly impacts mood, behavior, and perception. These medications work by altering the activity of neurotransmitters, which are the brain's chemical messengers. For example, antidepressants can increase serotonin levels to improve mood, while anxiolytics may enhance the effects of GABA to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

The primary focus of these medications is thus on the emotional and psychological states of individuals, helping to manage conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. This specific mechanism targeting psychological factors differentiates psychotropic medications from other treatments that might affect physical aspects of health, such as heart rate or endurance.