Introduction
A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug that lowers neurotransmission levels, which is to depress or reduce arousal or stimulation, in various areas of the brain.
Depressants are also occasionally referred to as “downers” as they lower the level of arousal when taken.
Stimulants or “uppers” increase mental or physical function, hence the opposite drug class of depressants is stimulants, not antidepressants.
Depressants are widely used throughout the world as prescription medicines and as illicit substances.
Alcohol is a very prominent depressant. Alcohol can be and is more likely to be a large problem among teenagers and young adults.
When depressants are used, effects often include ataxia, anxiolysis, pain relief, sedation or somnolence, and cognitive/memory impairment, as well as in some instances euphoria, dissociation, muscle relaxation, lowered blood pressure or heart rate, respiratory depression, and anticonvulsant effects, and even similar considered a depressant.
Indications
Depressants are used medicinally to relieve the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Generalized anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Insomnia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Depression
There are three major types of CNS depressants:
sedatives, hypnotics, and tranquilizers.
Drugs that are classified as CNS depressants include: Alcohol,Barbiturates.
CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
Benzodiazepines
- diazepam
- clonazepam
- alprazolam
- triazolam
- estazolam
Non-Benzodiazepine Sedative Hypnotics :-
- zolpidem
- eszopiclone
- zaleplon
Barbiturates
- mephobarbital
- phenobarbital
- pentobarbital sodium
How do people use and misuse prescription CNS depressants?
Most prescription CNS depressants come in pill, capsule, or liquid form, which a person takes by mouth. Misuse of prescription CNS depressants means:
- taking medicine in a way or dose other than prescribed
- Taking someone else’s medicine
- taking medicine for the effect it causes – to get high
When misusing a prescription CNS depressant, a person can swallow the medicine in its normal form or can crush pills or open capsules.
How do CNS depressants affect the brain?
Most CNS depressants act on the brain by increasing activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that inhibits brain activity.
This action causes the drowsy and calming effects that make the medicine effective for anxiety and sleep disorders.
People who start taking CNS depressants usually feel sleepy and uncoordinated for the first few days until the body adjusts to these side effects. Other effects from use and misuse can include:
- slurred speech
- poor concentration
- confusion
- headache
- light-headedness
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- problems with movement and memory
- lowered blood pressure
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