The depressant drugs They are substances capable of producing an inhibitory effect on some brain functions, leading to the appearance of a state of calm and stillness.
The main depressants of the nervous system are drugs used under medical prescription to treat anxiety states, panic disorder, as well as conciliatory insomnia. They are often used without a medical indication, especially in situations of emotional stress.
There are also drugs of abuse that have a depressant effect on the nervous system, such as marijuana and heroin.
Main nervous system depressant drugs
The most widely used depressants are benzodiazepine-type medications, including diazepam, bromazepam, and alprazolam. These drugs are used as tranquilizers and also for the treatment of insomnia.
Another group of depressants include barbiturates, one of the best known representatives of this group being phenobarbital. These types of medications are used primarily to treat disorders such as seizures.
Main effects of depressant drugs in the body
Medications, as well as the various substances used as tranquilizers, produce their effects through changes in a neurotransmitter in the brain known as GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid for its acronym in English). This has an inhibitory effect on brain activity, an effect that is enhanced by depressant drugs.
The decrease in brain activity is related to the appearance of a state of mental tranquility accompanied by drowsiness. Other effects that occur are: lack of coordination to carry out movements, memory disorders and cognitive problems.
With their prolonged use, these substances are capable of producing two very characteristic effects: on the one hand, the phenomenon known as tolerance, which makes it necessary to take higher doses every time to obtain the desired effect and on the other hand the addictionWith its abrupt suspension accompanied by potentially serious withdrawal symptoms, these are characterized by a state of hyperactivity that can lead to the appearance of seizures.
Depressant drugs are one of the types of medications that are risky when combined with alcohol, since the depressant effect on the nervous system is enhanced. They should also not be combined with medicines for allergies or colds (in the case of the latter because they usually combine acetaminophen with an antiallergic), or with strong intensity pain medicines that include opioids (such as tramadol).
Marijuana and heroin, main depressant drugs of abuse
Marijuana is a plant used since ancient times both to achieve relaxation and pain relief, and to promote trance for mystical and religious purposes in various cultures. Its main form of consumption consists of smoking its leaves.
More recently, at the beginning of the 20th century, heroin, obtained synthetically from morphine, was incorporated. It is the drug with the greatest potential for both physical and psychological addiction, having a very marked narcotic or depressant effect.
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