GABA keys. Now here’s the interesting part. Alcohol molecules so closely resemble those of the GABA neurotransmitter that alcohol can function like GABA keys and open GABA receptors (figure right). Opening GABA receptors excites GABA neurons. Although it seems backward, when GABA neurons are excited, they decrease neural activity and produce inhibitory effects, such as a loss of inhibitions and self-control, as well as reduced anxiety.