Diazepam also decreases prolactin release in rats. Mechanism of action
Benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators of the GABA type A receptors (GABAA). The GABAA receptors are ligand-gated chloride-selective ion channels that are activated by GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Binding of benzodiazepines to this receptor complex promotes the binding of GABA, which in turn increases the total conduction of chloride ions across the neuronal cell membrane. This increased chloride ion influx hyperpolarizes the neurons membrane potential. As a result, the difference between resting potential and threshold potential is increased and firing is less likely. As a result, the arousal of the cortical and limbic systems in the central nervous system is reduced.The GABAA receptor is a heteromer composed of five subunits, the most common ones being two αs, two βs, and one γ (α2β2γ). For each subunit, many subtypes exist (α1–6, β1–3, and γ1–3). GABAA receptors containing the α1 subunit mediate the sedative, the anterograde amnesic, and partly the anticonvulsive effects of diazepam. GABAA receptors containing α2 mediate the anxiolytic actions and to a large degree the myorelaxant effects. GABAA receptors containing α3 and α5 also contribute to benzodiazepines myorelaxant actions, whereas GABAA receptors comprising the α5 subunit were shown to modulate the temporal and spatial memory effects of benzodiazepines. Diazepam is not the only drug to target these GABAA receptors. Drugs such as flumazenil also bind to GABAA to induce their effects.Diazepam appears to act on areas of the limbic system, thalamus, and hypothalamus, inducing anxiolytic effects.
A schedule 4 drug is outlined in the Poisons Act 1964 as, "Substances, the use or supply of which should be by or on the order of persons permitted by State or Territory legislation to prescribe and should be available from a pharmacist on prescription." United States
Diazepam is controlled as a Schedule IV substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Judicial executions
The states of California and Florida offer diazepam to condemned inmates as a pre-execution sedative as part of their lethal injection program, although the state of California has not executed a prisoner since 2006. In August 2018, Nebraska used diazepam as part of the drug combination used to execute Carey Dean Moore, the first death row inmate executed in Nebraska in over 21 years. Veterinary uses
Diazepam is used as a short-term sedative and anxiolytic for cats and dogs, sometimes used as an appetite stimulant. It can also be used to stop seizures in dogs and cats. References
Further reading
Dean L (2016). "Diazepam Therapy and CYP2C19 Genotype". In Pratt VM, McLeod HL, Rubinstein WS,  et al. (eds.). Medical Genetics Summaries. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PMID 28520370. Bookshelf ID: NBK379740. Thomas Hardman (April, 2021) "Valium FAQ- 20 Frequently Asked Questions" Pharmacologist at GenZen Laboratories. External links

"Diazepam". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. "Diazepam Nasal Spray". MedlinePlus. "Diazepam". Resource Center. Chemwatch.