What is a characteristic of depressant drugs?

Depressant substances reduce arousal and stimulation. They affect the central nervous system, slowing down the messages between the brain and body. They can affect concentration and coordination and slow down a person’s ability to respond to unexpected situations.

What is a characteristic of depressant drug quizlet?

Depressants are drugs that tend to slow the central nervous system and slow brain activity by affecting the neurons. These drugs are dangerous because they slow heart and breathing rates and lower blood pressure.

What is the function of depressants?

Depressants will induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and prevent seizures. Barbiturates are older drugs and include butalbital (Fiorina®), phenobarbital, Pentothal®, Seconal®, and Nembutal®.

What are six depressants examples?

depressants – slow down the function of the central nervous system.
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Depressants
  • alcohol.
  • benzodiazepines (minor tranquillisers such as Valium)
  • cannabis.
  • GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate)
  • ketamine.
  • opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine).

Which of the following is a depressant?

What drugs are depressants? Alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines, heroin and other opioids.

What are depressants quizlet?

Definition of Depressants. Depressants are substances that can slow brain activity. They are used to reduce reactions in the body and relax muscles. They slow down the function of the nervous system by enhancing an effect of a type of neurotransmitter called GABA.

Which of the following are depressant drugs quizlet?

What drugs are depressants? alcohol, barbiturates, Quaaludes, Milltown, equanil, valium, Librium.

Why are some drugs referred to as depressants quizlet?

Depressants are drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow down body functions.

What is a depressant quizlet Chapter 15?

Depressant. A drug that slows brain and body reactions.

Which is a depressant quizlet abnormal psychology?

Depressants: Drugs that decrease alertness by slowing down the activity of the central nervous system (e.g. heroin, alcohol and analgesics).

What is another name for drugs that are depressants?

Depressants are also colloquially referred to as downers as they lower the level of arousal when taken. Stimulants or “uppers” increase mental and/or physical function, hence the opposite drug class of depressants is stimulants, not antidepressants.

Is alcohol a depressant?

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it can disrupt that balance, affecting our thoughts, feelings and actions – and sometimes our long-term mental health. This is partly down to neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that help to transmit signals from one nerve (or neuron) in the brain to another.

Which is the major physiological effect of depressants quizlet?

Depressants are a group of drugs that decrease central nervous system activity. The primary effect is to reduce our levels of physiological arousal and help us relax.

How do depressants affect the brain?

Central nervous system depressants work by increasing the production of the neurotransmitter GABA, which in turn slows down brain activity and produces feelings of relaxation, drowsiness, and a number of other effects, including: Lowered blood pressure. Dilated pupils. Confusion or disorientation.

How depressant drugs affect the body?

Depressants slow or ‘depress’ the function of the central nervous system. They slow the messages going to and from your brain. In small quantities depressants can cause a person to feel relaxed and less inhibited. In large amounts they may cause vomiting, unconsciousness and death.

When were depressants first used?

The 1950s saw the clinical introduction of the first two specifically antidepressant drugs: iproniazid, a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor that had been used in the treatment of tuberculosis, and imipramine, the first drug in the tricyclic antidepressant family.

What is the most commonly used and abused depressant?

Alcohol is most widely used and abused depressant. Narcotics: Effect, relieve anxiety and pain.

What is a nervous system depressant?

A type of drug that slows down brain activity, which causes the muscles to relax and calms and soothes a person. CNS depressants are used to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping), anxiety, panic attacks, and seizures. They may also be used to relieve anxiety and tension before surgery.