For a more extensive list of side effects, click on the individual drugs. CNS (central nervous system) stimulants are medicines that stimulate the brain, speeding up both mental and physical processes. By Toketemu OhwovorioleToketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.
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. Store medicines, alcohol, and other potentially hazardous materials safely away from children and pets. When your doctor prescribes a medication, make sure you understand its purpose and how long you’re expected to take it.
Drugs and Behavior
However, inhalants are known to cause immediate arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, known as sudden sniffing death syndrome. Inhalant is an umbrella term that refers to numerous chemicals that can be inhaled to produce intoxication. These chemicals can be found in various household goods and cleaning supplies such as glues, aerosol sprays, paint thinner, nail polish remover, gasoline, whipped cream, and felt-tip markers. A notable inhalant is nitrous oxide, a gas used as an anesthetic in surgeries and dentistry. These substances are typically unregulated and can be easily purchased or found in products around the house. GABAA receptors are comprised of five protein subunits surrounding the central chloride ion pore.
Long-term Effects
Patients who undergo prolonged therapy should not discontinue treatment abruptly as this may cause onset of seizure activity. These medications may cause drowsiness and should not be taken with alcohol or other CNS depressants. Female patients using oral contraceptives should also use non-hormonal based contraceptives during therapy. CNS depressants can be defined as those drugs that slow down the activity of the CNS. They first affect those areas of the brain that control a person’s conscious, voluntary actions (control processes).
More on Brain & Nervous System Disorders
Overdoses of prescription painkillers in the U.S. is a growing problem, especially among women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Addiction to CNS depressants may see a person experience social and family problems, difficulty working, and an inability to function in daily. A person may recover from an overdose, but research in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology shows that some may continue to have problems with everyday functioning after leaving the hospital. As a recreational drug, people sometimes call them barbs, downers, or phennies, among other names. People with any of these conditions should check with a doctor before using a CNS depressant. Long acting – effects are seen after an hour and last between 8 and 14 h.
- After use, people will experience fatigue, amnesia, confusion, and anxiety.
- There is controversy concerning the safety of benzodiazepines in pregnancy.
- Eventually, these symptoms can worsen and, uncorrected, lead to respiratory depression, coma, or death.
- CNS depressants increase the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which serves to decrease neuronal firing.
- Because of its significance and certain unique properties, the entirety of the next chapter is devoted to covering it.
However, problems with barbiturate addiction and deadly overdoses soon became apparent. Because the potential for misuse is so high, they are no longer used as commonly as in the past. If you’ve been prescribed a depressant, it’s important to know that it can cause drowsiness and decreased inhibition. They’re also a class of drugs with a risk of misuse and addiction, increasing one’s chances of taking too much, which can lead to coma or death.
If a drug overdose is the cause of CNS depression, there are medications that can reverse these effects. Having a history of addiction may put you at higher risk central nervous system (cns) depressants of CNS depression. That’s because you may be prone to taking more medication than prescribed or combining medication with other drugs or alcohol.
Several substances can depress the CNS, ranging from anti-anxiety and sleep medications to so-called recreational drugs, such as heroin. It controls most bodily functions — including breathing and the heart — by sending messages between the brain and other nerves via the spinal cord. In vertebrates, the brain and spinal cord are both enclosed in the meninges.2 The meninges provide a barrier to chemicals dissolved in the blood, protecting the brain from most neurotoxins commonly found in food.
The first barbiturate, barbital, was marketed by Bayer under the name Veronal® that year, and barbiturate use steadily increased in the first half of the 20th century. Doctors also give sedatives and analgesics to individuals to reduce anxiety and provide pain relief before and after procedures. But if it slows down too much, it can quickly become a life-threatening event. Benzodiazepines like diazepam and clonazepam are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks.
We’ll explore the science behind CNS depressants, their risks, and treatment options. By the end, you’ll understand why seeking professional help is crucial and how it can make a difference in the lives of those affected. Not many people know what CNS Depression (or Central Nervous System Depression) is. In a world where mental health is increasingly recognized as essential to overall well-being, Central Nervous System (CNS) depression stands out as a critical area of concern.
