Which medication is predominantly used to reduce anxiety and is classified as a benzodiazepine?

Diazepam is a medication that belongs to the benzodiazepine class and is widely utilized for its anxiolytic properties, meaning it is primarily prescribed to reduce anxiety. Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor, resulting in sedative, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects. Due to this mechanism, medications like diazepam can provide rapid relief from acute anxiety symptoms.

When considering the other medication choices, buspirone, while also used to treat anxiety, does not belong to the benzodiazepine class and works through different neurotransmitter systems, primarily affecting serotonin and dopamine receptors. Duloxetine and venlafaxine are both classes of antidepressants known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are primarily used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder but are not classified as benzodiazepines. Therefore, diazepam stands out as the correct choice for a medication that is specifically and predominantly used to mitigate anxiety within the benzodiazepine category.