Xanax, the brand name for alprazolam, is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It is most commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and, in some cases, short-term management of insomnia related to anxiety. By enhancing the effects of a naturally occurring chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), Xanax helps produce a calming effect on the nervous system. This makes it highly effective for relieving excessive worry, nervousness, and sudden episodes of intense fear or panic.