When you take Xanax, it dissolves in the stomach and releases the drug, which reaches the brain. It triggers the release of a substance or brain chemical called GABA, responsible for carrying information from and to neurons.
The increased GABA amounts help the brain calm down and alleviate the feeling of panic and anxiety.
This effect of Xanax is what makes this medicine an addiction risk if not taken with caution. Doctors recommend using this medicine in prescribed quantity and only for the recommended duration to avoid its adverse effects.