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==Overview==
==Overview==
A '''depressant''', referred to in slang as a "'''downer'''," is a chemical agent that diminishes the function or activity of a specific part of the body. (See also [[sedative]].) The term is used in particular with regard to the [[central nervous system]] (CNS). [[Alcohol]] (consumed in [[alcoholic beverages]]) is the most obvious example of a depressant. Many depressants acting on the CNS do so by increasing the activity of a particular [[neurotransmitter]] known as [[gamma-aminobutyric acid]] (GABA), although other targets such as the [[NMDA]] receptor, [[mu-opioid]] receptor and [[CB1]] cannabinoid receptor can also be important, depending on which drug is involved.
A '''depressant''', referred to in slang as a "'''downer'''," is a chemical agent that diminishes the function or activity of a specific part of the body (see also [[sedative]]). The term is especially used with regard to the [[central nervous system]] (CNS). [[Alcohol]] (consumed in [[alcoholic beverages]]) is the most obvious example of a depressant. Although some drugs act on the CNS by targeting or involving receptors such as the [[NMDA]] receptor, the [[mu-opioid]] receptor, and the [[CB1]] cannabinoid receptor, many depressants impact the CNS by increasing the activity of a particular [[neurotransmitter]] known as [[gamma-aminobutyric acid]] (GABA),


GABA's task is to calm the CNS and to promote sleep. Drugs that stimulate the activity of this amino acid produce slowed brain function and a drowsy or calm feeling, and so depressants are generally prescribed to relieve symptoms of [[anxiety]] or [[insomnia]]. Internal systems regulate the body's production of GABA, but when medication is taken to stimulate GABA action, it is possible to induce hazardously high levels, which can dangerously slow breathing and heart rates, and may result in death.
GABA's role is to calm the CNS and promote sleep. Drugs that stimulate the activity of this amino acid slow brain function and result in a drowsy or calm feeling. These characteristics account for the prescription of depressants to relieve symptoms of [[anxiety]] or [[insomnia]]. Internal systems regulate the body's production of GABA, but when substances that stimulate GABA action are ingested, it is possible to induce hazardously high levels of the amino acid, which can slow breathing and heart rates dangerously, and may result in death.


CNS depressants require a period of adaptation. Typically, initial side effects include slurred speech, dizziness, and loss of coordination, in many respects similar to the effects of alcohol.
CNS depressants require a period of adaptation. Typically, initial side effects include slurred speech, dizziness, and loss of coordination, effects commonly associated with alcohol consumption.


==Medical Uses==
The most common medically used depressants generally fall into two classes, namely [[barbiturates ]] and [[benzodiazepines]]. Other depressants include alcohol, narcotics (opiate derivatives), sedative-hypnotics, first-generation [[antihistamines]] (such as [[diphenhydramine]],) and some anaesthetics (such as [[ketamine]] and [[phencyclidine]]).
The most common medically used depressants generally fall into two classes, namely [[barbiturates ]] and [[benzodiazepines]]. Other depressants include alcohol, narcotics (opiate derivatives), sedative-hypnotics, first-generation [[antihistamines]] (such as [[diphenhydramine]],) and some anaesthetics (such as [[ketamine]] and [[phencyclidine]]).


Barbiturates are effective in relieving the conditions they are designed to address; they are also readily abused, physically addictive, and have serious potential for overdose. When, in the late 1960s, it became clear that the social cost of barbiturates was beginning to outweigh the medical benefits, a serious search began for a replacement drug. (See [[Methaqualone]]) Most people still using barbiturates today do so in the prevention of seizures or in mild form for relief from the symptoms of [[migraines]].
'''Barbituates'''
While barbiturates are effective in relieving the conditions they are designed to address, they are readily abused, physically addictive, and have serious potential for overdose. In the late 1960s, when it became clear that the social cost of barbiturates was beginning to outweigh their medical benefits, a serious search began for a replacement drug (see [[Methaqualone]]). Most people still using barbiturates today do so to prevent seizures or use mild forms to relieve the symptoms of [[migraines]].


Benzodiazepines mediate many of the same symptoms as barbiturates, but are far less toxic and have a strongly reduced risk of overdose. This is not to say they are not without their own risks; where barbiturates pose a greater "front-end" danger in that overdose or drug/alcohol interactions may result in fatality, benzodiazepines pose a greater "back-end" risk in the possibility of addiction, dependence, and serious physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Immediate cessation of long-term benzodiazepine use instead of tapering can be dangerous and have serious effects.
'''Benzodiazepines'''
 
Benzodiazepines mediate many of the same symptoms as barbiturates, but are far less toxic and have a greatly reduced risk of overdose. However, benzodiazepines carry their own risks; where barbiturates pose a greater "front-end" danger in that overdose or drug/alcohol interactions may result in fatality, benzodiazepines pose a greater "back-end" risk with their higher potential for addiction, dependence, and serious physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Sudden cessation of long-term benzodiazepine use instead of tapering can be dangerous and have serious results.
Combining multiple depressants is generally recognized as very dangerous due to the fact that the CNS depressive properties often increase multiplicatively instead of linearly. This characteristic makes depressants a common choice for deliberate overdoses in the case of [[suicide]]. The use of alcohol or benzodizepines along with the usual dose of heroin is often the reason of the overdose death of opiates addicted.


Combining multiple depressants is very dangerous as CNS-depressive properties often increase multiplicatively rather than linearly. This characteristic makes depressants a common choice for deliberate overdoses in the case of [[suicide]]. The use of alcohol or benzodizepines along with a typical dose of heroin often results in death, and is common in the case of those addicted to opiates.


==Depressants/Downers==
==Depressants/Downers==

Revision as of 19:38, 23 June 2015

Overview

A depressant, referred to in slang as a "downer," is a chemical agent that diminishes the function or activity of a specific part of the body (see also sedative). The term is especially used with regard to the central nervous system (CNS). Alcohol (consumed in alcoholic beverages) is the most obvious example of a depressant. Although some drugs act on the CNS by targeting or involving receptors such as the NMDA receptor, the mu-opioid receptor, and the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, many depressants impact the CNS by increasing the activity of a particular neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA),

GABA's role is to calm the CNS and promote sleep. Drugs that stimulate the activity of this amino acid slow brain function and result in a drowsy or calm feeling. These characteristics account for the prescription of depressants to relieve symptoms of anxiety or insomnia. Internal systems regulate the body's production of GABA, but when substances that stimulate GABA action are ingested, it is possible to induce hazardously high levels of the amino acid, which can slow breathing and heart rates dangerously, and may result in death.

CNS depressants require a period of adaptation. Typically, initial side effects include slurred speech, dizziness, and loss of coordination, effects commonly associated with alcohol consumption.

Medical Uses

The most common medically used depressants generally fall into two classes, namely barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Other depressants include alcohol, narcotics (opiate derivatives), sedative-hypnotics, first-generation antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine,) and some anaesthetics (such as ketamine and phencyclidine).

Barbituates While barbiturates are effective in relieving the conditions they are designed to address, they are readily abused, physically addictive, and have serious potential for overdose. In the late 1960s, when it became clear that the social cost of barbiturates was beginning to outweigh their medical benefits, a serious search began for a replacement drug (see Methaqualone). Most people still using barbiturates today do so to prevent seizures or use mild forms to relieve the symptoms of migraines.

Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines mediate many of the same symptoms as barbiturates, but are far less toxic and have a greatly reduced risk of overdose. However, benzodiazepines carry their own risks; where barbiturates pose a greater "front-end" danger in that overdose or drug/alcohol interactions may result in fatality, benzodiazepines pose a greater "back-end" risk with their higher potential for addiction, dependence, and serious physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Sudden cessation of long-term benzodiazepine use instead of tapering can be dangerous and have serious results.

Combining multiple depressants is very dangerous as CNS-depressive properties often increase multiplicatively rather than linearly. This characteristic makes depressants a common choice for deliberate overdoses in the case of suicide. The use of alcohol or benzodizepines along with a typical dose of heroin often results in death, and is common in the case of those addicted to opiates.

Depressants/Downers

External links

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