How do stimulant drugs differ from depressants?

How do stimulant drugs differ from depressants?

The basic difference between them is that stimulants speed up the workings of this system while depressants slow it down. Stimulants galvanise the CNS in a way that dramatically increases energy and therefore activity.

What do stimulants do to the central nervous system?

Stimulants are a class of drugs that “stimulate” the body’s central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. They increase the levels of catecholamines—a family of brain chemicals that includes dopamine. These chemicals are used in the brain processes to signal reward and motivation.

What are the differences between stimulants vs depressants quizlet?

Essentially, depressants slow down the body parts controlled by the central nervous system, while stimulants speed up the central nervous system’s activity, including the brain.

What drugs are central nervous system depressants?

What are prescription CNS depressants?

  • diazepam (Valium®)
  • clonazepam (Klonopin®)
  • alprazolam (Xanax®)
  • triazolam (Halcion®)
  • estazolam (Prosom®)

What drugs cause personality changes?

From paracetamol (known as acetaminophen in the US) to antihistamines, statins, asthma medications and antidepressants, there’s emerging evidence that they can make us impulsive, angry, or restless, diminish our empathy for strangers, and even manipulate fundamental aspects of our personalities, such as how neurotic we …

How do you classify drugs?

Drugs can be classified in many ways….For example, they can be classified according to:

  1. uses (medicinal or recreational)
  2. effect on the body (the specific effect on the central nervous system)
  3. source of the substance (synthetic or plant)
  4. legal status (legal/illegal)
  5. risk status (dangerous/safe).

Why are drugs like depressants described as the opposite of?

They are also known as stimulants because they increase feelings of energy, well-being, and alertness. A drug like depressants are described as opposites of an amphetamine because stimulants increase breathing and heart rate while depressants slow these functions in the brain.

Do antidepressants change personality?

Taking an antidepressant can lead to significant personality changes, likely for the better, a new study finds.

What are CNS stimulants?

STIM-yoo-lunt) A type of drug that increases the levels of certain chemicals in the brain and increases alertness, attention, energy, and physical activity. CNS stimulants also raise blood pressure and increase heart rate and breathing rate.

What do depressants do?

What They Do: When used as prescribed by a doctor, depressants can calm nerves and relax muscles. Larger or improperly used doses of depressant drugs can cause confusion, lack of coordination, low blood pressure, and slowed heart rate and breathing.

What are the 7 types of drugs?

7 Drug Categories

  • (1) Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants. CNS depressants slow down the operations of the brain and the body.
  • (2) CNS Stimulants.
  • (3) Hallucinogens.
  • (4) Dissociative Anesthetics.
  • (5) Narcotic Analgesics.
  • (6) Inhalants.
  • (7) Cannabis.

What is the difference between a stimulant and a depressant?

Stimulants stimulate the central nervous system and depressants do the opposite, slowing it and all the parts of the body controlled by the central nervous system down. Of course, there are many other differences between the two. Due to the prevalence of recreational drug use,…

What are depressants and how do they work?

Depressants lower these functions for specific reasons just as stimulants raise them. Doctors use depressants to treat anxiety, mania, nervous conditions, as anesthesia, as sleeping pills, and for a variety of other issues. Like all stimulants, depressants have side effects.

Is Ecstasy a stimulant or a depressant?

A number of the so-called club drugs like ecstasy are stimulants as well. According to Cleveland State University, depressants are drugs that inhibit or depress the central nervous system. Doctors define a depressant as something, usually a drug that reduces function and nervous action.

What are the side effects of stimulants?

Stimulants, when taken at high doses, can also lead to dangerous side effects, such as high body temperature, irregular heartbeat, seizures and heart failure. Those who use stimulants might experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop taking the drug.

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