Baclofen is a prescription medication in a class known as skeletal muscle relaxants. It was first introduced in the 1960s as an anti‑seizure drug and later reintroduced in the 1970s for the treatment of muscle spasticity.(Source) Today it is most commonly prescribed to reduce muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain related to conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury, and other neurological disorders.(Source)

Baclofen is available under brand names such as Lioresal and Gablofen, as well as in generic form. It can be given as an oral tablet or liquid, or delivered directly into the spinal fluid through an implanted pump for people with severe spasticity.(Source)

Baclofen acts on the central nervous system, particularly on nerves in the spinal cord, to reduce the abnormal reflexes that cause muscle spasms. It works primarily by activating gamma‑aminobutyric acid type B (GABA‑B) receptors, which inhibit certain nerve signals and help relax muscles.(Source) By dampening these signals, baclofen can decrease involuntary jerking, twitching, and painful muscle contractions that may interfere with walking, balance, and daily activities.(Source)

Because GABA is also involved in anxiety and reward pathways in the brain, researchers have explored whether baclofen’s effects on GABA‑B receptors might also help reduce anxiety, cravings, and compulsive behaviors in conditions such as post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders.(Source)