Ativan is a benzodiazepine that acts as a tranquilizing medication. Its calming effects produce calmness and relaxation in the body. How we perceive anxiety and our actions are responsible for our body’s reaction to the effects. Our brain passes the perceiving of stress or anxiety to the brain neurons, and the vast network of our brain cells causes emotions and actions. Ativan pills act on the brain and the nervous system to produce their effects.