Examples of Depressants Not many people are aware that some of the chemicals they use to induce sleep or relieve stress are classified as depressants. One of the many examples of depressants commonly used is alcohol, which can depress the central nervous system. Other popular downers include tranquilizers, sedatives and anxiolytics. Although some of these are prescribed by doctors to their patients, some are recreational substances that are abused by people without knowing the risks involved. Part 1: What Are Depressants? Depressants are drugs that slow down or depress your body’s function, particularly your central nervous system (CNS). Because of these relaxing or quieting effects, they are often called downers. There are different kinds of CNS depressants, and the most commonly used is alcohol. Although alcohol is often used recreationally to …show more content…
People who use them regularly often develop tolerance to these drugs, which means that one will need larger doses of a drug to obtain the same desired effects. This can also make the user dependent on the use of depressants to keep them feeling relaxed, but it also increases their risk of abuse and drug overdose. Part 2: Types and Examples of Depressants 4 Types of Depressants There are four main types of CNS depressants. Here are some examples of depressants: Alcohol Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is the active ingredient found in wine, liquors or distilled spirits, and beer. This clear and colorless chemical is a depressant drug that is most widely consumed in the United States. It is also widely abused and its consumption is linked to many diseases. There are many beverages that contain alcohol in various concentrations, but in general, each serving of the following drinks contain the same amount of alcohol: • 5 oz of table wine (12% alcohol by volume) • 12 oz beer (5% by volume) • 1.5 oz (equivalent to one shot) of 80-proof liquor (40% by volume) • 12 oz wine cooler (5% by volume)
It is widely accepted that the level of serotonin present in the brain has a significant affect on the behavior of an individual, specifically, an individuals mood. SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) are common medications that treat major depression. Thus affecting the mood of an individual. Some would argue improving the quality of life of people who suffer from clinical depression.
Ethanol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. It is the principal psychoactive constituent in alcoholic beverages making it the most commonly available drug in society. Ethanol can cause alcohol intoxication when consumed in high amounts. Once consumed, ethanol diffuses rapidly from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. As ethanol is a small, uncharged molecule it can easily cross the blood-brain barrier (Chandra 2008). Ethanol affects neuronal activity by altering the function of specific proteins, and inhibiting neurotransmission. Ethanol primarily exerts its effects by potentiating the action of endogenous neurotransmitters at the inhibitory receptor GABAA, or via inhibiting the excitatory effects of glutamate on the NMDA receptor (Harris et. al. 2008).
In the brainstem, the most primitive part of the brain, lie clusters of serotonin neurons. The nerve fiber terminals of the serotonergic neurons extend all throughout the central nervous system from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord. This neurotransmitter is responsible for controlling fundamental physiological aspects of the body. In the central nervous system (CNS), serotonin has widespread and often profound implications, including a role in sleep, appetite, memory, learning, temperature regulation, mood, sexual behavior, cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, and endocrine regulation. Not only does this bioamine control physiological aspects of the body, but it also has an involvement in behaviors like eating, sleeping and aggression. Serotonin has been noted to produce an inhibitory effect on the nervous system that calms, soothes and generates feelings of general contentment and satiation.
The notion of an individualized chemical imbalance founded in the brain as the explanation of depression, whether it is norepinephrine and serotonin, is a theory which is built on a particular kind of logic that attempts to isolate a causal neurochemical abnormality as giving rise to or generating depressive symptoms. The drugs which are utilize to treat these abnormalities, were shown in the last chapter to be a crucial component in the creation of depressive pathology insofar as they were reasoned or designed to correct them. Within a society that values the biomedical intervention of psychopharmaceuticals in the treatment of depression there is an in...
The depletion of the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the central nervous system is a theory used to explain depression, called the monoamine hypothesis of depression (Delgado, P. L., 2000). This came about with the early development
Depressants also called downers are a drug which slow down the central nervous system.Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol, Heroin, and Marijuna. Depressants cna be smoked, swallowed, and injected. Short term effects are slurred speech, drowsiness, low blood pressure, ect. Long term effects are addiction, sleep problems, death. Withdrawal symptoms are insomnia nausea and weekness. Tolerance can develop very quickly and then addiction.
There are many different types of drugs, anti-depressants, depressants, hallucinogenic… Alcohol can be used to help people make decisions. "Alcohol is a depressant"(Exploring Psychology). "Small amounts of alcohol will enliven a drinker, by slowing brain activity that controls judgment and inhibitions"(Exploring Psychology). "Here is a harmful tendency that alcohol increases, sexually coercive college men try to disinhibit their dates by getting them to drink. Also it is proven that people who go to a resuraunt for and extended period of time have the tendency to tip better when buzzed"(Exploring Psychology).
Alcohol is a depressant derived from the fermentation of natural sugars in fruits, vegetables and grains. These are brewed and distilled into a wide range of beverages with various alcohol contents ( www.abovetheinfluence.com ) Alcohol is considered the most common and widely used drug in in the world today. For many Americans alchol is a fairly common part of their regular lives and/or routines. A large scale survey of adults taken in the US has shown that 9% of the people surveyed admitted to alchol dependence or abuse in the past 12 months and more that 30% reported to so...
Depression is a mental illness, which affects millions of Americans each year. Currently there are many prescription drugs, called anti-depressants that have been proven to successfully treat it. The causes of depression are somewhat of a medical enigma, however, it is known that depression is associated with a change in the brains chemistry involving the function of neurotransmitters (Reichert). This chemical change occurs in healthy brain’s, which experience sadness, but ends after the unpleasant stimulus is removed. In people suffering from depression this chemical change does not correspond to any particular stimulus. Symptoms of depression are often incapacitating and include severe and extended sadness, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of emptiness, irritability and anxiety (Reichert, Spake).
It is a clear and colorless liquid with a profound odor. Ethanol is used as a beverage; whether the drink is beer, wine or hard liquor, it is a liquid drug that slows down the central nervous system just like a sedative. Ethyl alcohol is actually classified as a food because it has calories, although it does not have any nutritional value therefore the calories are measured as empty calories. Ethanol is not digested or transported to the bodies’ cells like the normal digestive process; instead it is absorbed directly into the blood stream. Alcohol travels throughout the body by diluting itself in the water already present in the organ systems. Most vital organs, such as the brain, need a large amount of water and blood to function and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ethyl alcohol. Other than being used as a beverage, ethyl alcohol can be used to clean surfaces from micro organisms, for that reason, one can presume it is toxic to the
...epressant drugs are required to relieve symptoms. Many antidepressants work by raising levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in the synapse. TCA’s, SSRI’s and SNRI’s are equally successful in depressive patients however differ in terms of their side effects. Due to advantages in pharmacological treatment and minimum variation in antidepressant efficiency, the choice of medication available to depression patients remains a choice in accordance to the patient’s characteristics and which treatment is deemed safe with less severe side effects. Antidepressants used today inhibit the role of serotonin and norepinephrine transporters, therefore preventing reuptake of targeted neurotransmitters. Although TCA’s are much cheaper to administer to patients, the overall rate of patients running depression-free is significantly lower than those patients who are prescribed SSRI’s.
Alcohol is a depressant/central nervous system depressant that is made up of ethanol. In its pure state, it is extremely flammable, and toxic to drink. In order to drink it. It must be “cut” with water. The amount of water to alcohol is how you get the measure of its “proof” or percentage of alcohol.
The cause of Clinical depression has long been a mystery to physicians and researchers. Many different theories have been proposed, but no conclusive evidence has been put forth. However, most of what we know about depression stems from the results of certain drugs which have been successful in treating the clinically depressed. These anti--depressants have led to the assumption that depression is most likely due to a chemical imbalance (of neurotransmitters) which somehow leads to the symptoms of depression. To try and write a paper on all the theories of depression would be endless, as would be a study on all the different types of anti-depressants. Therefore I have tried to focus my paper on the serotonin hypothesis for depression, and more specifically how the serotonergic anti-depressants have backed up this theory. Of course, Any paper on serotonin-based anti-depressants must include the popular Prozac. Because of the excitement And controversy surrounding Prozac, I decided to channel most of my paper into the action of this so-called "wonder drug".
Alcohol is a way for humans to escape their reality. Though that sounds fun and exciting, it can be very dangerous. Alcohol is a very common drug that is used by teenagers and adults. Alcohol can affect our brain, heart, pancreas, immune system, cancer risk, and much more (“Alcohol’s Effect on the Body”). Alcohol is contained by people to usually have a good time, but some people can abuse the use of alcohol and become addicted. At first, alcohol often makes people feel relaxed and happy. Later, it can cause drowsiness or confusion ("Alcohol Use and Older Adults”). Alcohol can also be used as an anti-depressant. The consuming of alcohol if not of age can cause people who are younger than 21 to
Abuse can cause countless medical problems to the body. A person who is addicted will continue to stimulate themselves regardless if they are aware of the negative chain reactions. Once addicted, it becomes difficult to stop due to how the body has become dependent. Health will be harmed the more a stimulant is used. Health effects include: cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, lung disease, mental disease, birth defects. Mental health is what keeps a person in the right mind to make better decisions and have better control in life. Drugs have the ability to change mood and behavior. If drugs have affected the brain already, the desire increases which changes mental health. Some may not realize that they have been affected their health negatively. “A person who abuses drugs may not realize they have a problem until pronounced effects of drug abuse are seen, often physically. While drug abuse effects on the body vary depending on the drug used, all drug abuse negatively impacts one 's health (Addictions Community). Since drugs create many health issues, treatment is not a simple task. Treatments are hard to obtain and addictions often go