Drugs that lower neurotransmission levels, reducing brain stimulation
Not to be confused with depressogen.
This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it.(April 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
This article uses citations that link to broken or outdated sources. Please improve the article by addressing link rot or discuss this issue on the talk page.(April 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Colloquially known as "downers", depressants or central depressants are drugs that lower neurotransmission levels, or depress or reduce arousal or stimulation in various areas of the brain.[1] Depressants do not change the mood or mental state of others. Stimulants, or "uppers", increase mental or physical function, hence the opposite drug class from depressants are stimulants, not antidepressants.
Depressants are widely used throughout the world as prescription medicines and illicit substances. Alcohol is a very prominent depressant. When depressants are used, effects often include ataxia, anxiolysis, pain relief, sedation or somnolence, cognitive or memory impairment, as well as, in some instances, euphoria, dissociation, muscle relaxation, lowered blood pressure or heart rate, respiratory depression, and anticonvulsant effects. Depressants also act to produce anesthesia. Cannabis may sometimes be considered a depressant due to one of its components, cannabidiol. The latter is known to treat insomnia, anxiety, and muscle spasms, similar to other depressive drugs. However, while tetrahydrocannabinol, another component, may slow brain function to a small degree while reducing reaction to stimuli, it is generally considered a stimulant and main psychoactive agent that can sometimes cause anxiety, panic, and psychosis instead. Other depressants can include drugs like Xanax (a benzodiazepine) and a number of opioids. Gabapentinoids like gabapentin and baclofen are depressants and have anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic effects. Most anticonvulsants like Lamotrigine and Phenytoin are depressants. Carbamates are depressants that are similar to barbiturates.
Depressants exert their effects through a number of different pharmacological mechanisms, the most prominent of which include facilitation of GABA and inhibition of glutamatergic or monoaminergic activity. Other examples are chemicals that modify the electrical signaling inside the body, the most prominent of which are bromides and channel blockers.
^"Depressant – Definition". Princeton WordNet. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
Colloquially known as "downers", depressants or central depressants are drugs that lower neurotransmission levels, or depress or reduce arousal or stimulation...
if undergoing psychological therapy at the same time as taking anti-depressants enhances the anti-depressive effect of the medication. Lithium has been...
potentially life-threatening. Many different central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs such as ethanol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, GHB, sedatives,...
Pour point depressants are used to allow the use of petroleum based mineral oils at lower temperatures. The lowest temperature at which a fuel or oil...
that released an album on Roadrunner Records in 2001. Downers, slang for depressant drugs Downer Group, an Australian company Downer Rail, an Australian railroad...
Myocardial depressant factor (MDF) or Myocardial Toxic factor (MTF) is a low-molecular-weight peptide released from the pancreas into the blood in mammals...
the response to alcohol and the effects of barbiturates and other CNS depressants. Side effects may also be enhanced by other drugs that have antimuscarinic...
a data encoding Multilateral trading facility, an EU term Myocardial depressant factor Mobile Task Force, of the SCP Foundation All pages with titles...
Barbiturates are a class of depressant drugs that are chemically derived from barbituric acid. They are effective when used medically as anxiolytics, hypnotics...
stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or...
animal studies, mangostin has been found to be a central nervous system depressant which causes sedation, decreased motor activity, and ptosis.[better source needed]...
other central nervous system depressants. Alcohol should be avoided, particularly as it can upset the stomach. The CNS-depressant effects of tizanidine and...
cardiovascular effects) Topiramate The following are listed as appetite depressants by MeSH, an index of medical journal articles and books. Benfluorex (removed...
Anvifen, Fenibut, and Noofen among others, is a central nervous system depressant with anxiolytic effects, and is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and for...
caused by combining two or more depressant drugs, although overdose is also possible by consuming a large dose of one depressant drug. Central nervous system...
Benzodiazepines (BZD, BDZ, BZs), colloquially called "benzos", are a class of depressant drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and...
species known to produce alcoholic drinks intentionally. Alcohol is a depressant, which in low doses causes euphoria, reduces anxiety, and increases sociability...
order to mitigate the behavior related to these disorders, such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs. These connections between human and animal psychopharmacology...
profile similar to other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Even though pregabalin is a depressant and anti-convulsant it can sometimes paradoxically...
requiring titration include insulin, anticonvulsants, blood thinners, anti-depressants, and sedatives. Titrating off of a medication instead of stopping abruptly...
their selectivity for vascular calcium channels. By having both cardiac depressant and vasodilator actions, benzothiazepines are able to reduce arterial...
examiner determined that he had killed himself by overdosing on an anti-depressant. Although Hausner was convicted of murdering six people, he is suspected...
Global Information
