What do antagonists do in relation to receptors?

Antagonists are substances that bind to specific receptors in the body but do not activate them. Instead of triggering a biological response, they block or inhibit the receptor's activity. This action prevents the normal ligand (like a hormone or neurotransmitter) from binding to the receptor and initiating its typical physiological response. By doing so, antagonists can modulate the effects of other compounds that would typically engage with the receptor, providing a mechanism for controlling responses in various physiological processes. This is essential in pharmacology where antagonists are often used to counteract excessive stimulation of a receptor or to manage conditions that arise from overactive receptor activity.