Depressant drug

Depressants are psychoactive drugs which temporarily diminish the normal

function of the brain and central nervous system. These drugs
include opiates and opioids, barbiturates,benzodiazepines, tranquilizers and alco
hol. Due to their effects, these drugs can be referred to as "downers".
Types of Depressants
Alcohol
Alcohol is the most frequently used depressant. Types of alcohol include beer,
wine, and liquor. Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that reduces attention and slows
reaction speed. Alcohol intoxication affects the brain, causing slurred speech,
clumsiness, and delayed reflexes. ther physiological effects include altered
perception of space and time, reduced psychomotor s!ills, disrupting equilibrium.
The immediate effects of a large amount of alcohol include spurred speech,
disturbed sleep, nausea, and vomiting. "ven at low doses, alcohol significantly
impairs #udgment and coordination.
$arbiturates
$arbiturates are a group of drugs !nown as sedative%hypnotics, creating sleep%
inducing and anxiety%decreasing effects. $arbiturates produce effects from mild
sedation to total anesthesia. $arbiturates can be in#ected into veins or muscles,
but usually ta!en in pill form. They are sedatives used to treat insomnia, anxiety,
and seizures. $arbiturates produce similar effects during intoxication. &ymptoms
of barbiturate intoxication include respiratory depression, lowered blood
pressure, fatigue, fever, unusual excitement, irritability, dizziness, poor
concentration, sedation, confusion, impaired coordination, impaired #udgment,
addiction, and respiratory arrest which may lead to death. 'sers report that a
barbiturate high gives feelings of relaxed contentment and euphoria. The main
ris! of abuse is respiratory depression. ther effects of barbiturate intoxication
include drowsiness, lateral and vertical nystagmus, slurred speech and ataxia,
decreased anxiety and loss of inhibitions.
Benzodiazephine
$enzodiazepine, commonly referred to as "benzo", are most commonly used to
treat insomnia andanxiety. The five most common benzos
are (anax, Ativan, )lonopin, *alium, and +estoril. $enzodiazepines are used to
produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and to
prevent seizures. ,n general, they act as hypnotics in high doses, anxiolytics in
moderate doses, and sedatives in low doses.
Opiates and Opioids
piates are found in opium. The ma#or active opiates found in opium
are morphine, codeine, thebaine, and papaverine. &emi%synthetic opioid such
as heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodoneare derived from these substances as
well. piates can be in#ected, snorted, or smo!ed. The short%term effect of opiate
abuse consists of a surge of euphoria coupled with a warm flushing of the s!in,
dry mouth, and heavy extremities. -ollowing initial euphoria, users alternate
between a wa!eful and drowsy state. .ental functioning becomes clouded due to
the depression of the central nervous system.
Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers are used to treat anxiety or problems with sleep. They have a
calming effect by depressing the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol.
They are the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. They produce a
relaxing and anxiety%reducing effect. .inor tranquilizers have direct depressant
effects on brain areas that regulate wa!efulness and alertness. They enhance
the action of receptors that stimulate the nervous system. .a#or tranquilizers
primarily affect specific receptors in the brain that reduce psychotic thoughts,
perceptions and agitation.
Side Effects
General side effects may include:
Anxioysis
Analgesia
&edation
&omnolence
/ognitive0.emory ,mpairment
Dissociation
.uscle relaxation
1owered blood pressure0heart rate
+espiratory depression
Anesthesia
Anticonvulsant effects
-eelings of euphoria
Health Effects
.ost /2& depressants act on the brain by affecting the neurotransmitter
gammaaminobutyric acid 34A$A5. 2eurotransmitters are brain chemicals
that enable communication between brain cells. 4A$A wor!s by decreasing
brain activity. &o, due to depressants ability to increase 4A$A activity, a
drowsy or calming effect is produced.
6ith continued use of depressants, the body will develop a tolerance for the
drugs, requiring larger doses to achieve the initial effects. 6hen use is
reduced or stopped, withdrawal will occur due to the reuse of brain activity,
potentially leading to seizures and other harmful consequences.