por The depressant drugs are substances that can decrease brain activity. In some cases they are also known by the name of «sedatives» or «tranquilizers» and are used both in healthcare and recreational settings.
With regard to therapeutic uses, we find different drugs that perform depressant activities. For example, anxiolytics, sleeping medications and tranquilizers.
In the recreational field, the consumption of depressant substances is somewhat lower than that of stimulant drugs. This fact is due to the fact that substances that decrease brain activity produce fewer sensations of gratification than those that stimulate it.
Some examples of depressant drugs are heroin, oxycodone, methadone, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and ethyl alcohol.
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Characteristics of depressant drugs
Depressant drugs constitute a group of substances based on the effects they cause on brain function. ANDhe factor that groups this type of substance is the ability to produce a decrease in brain activity.
This first appreciation is highly relevant since the different types of depressant drugs can present important differences.
The substances that reduce the level of brain activity do not have the same origin or the same composition. Alcohol does not share all the characteristics with anxiolytics or heroin. However, it does share an important one; the ability to reduce the level of brain activity.
Thus, when talking about depressant drugs, reference is made to a large group of different substances with their own characteristics that are similar in their effects at the brain level.
origins
Being independent substances, depressant drugs can have very different origins. ANDThis type of substance can be both of natural origin and of synthetic or semi-synthetic origin.
With regard to depressant drugs of natural origin, morphine and codeine stand out. These two substances are highly depressant drugs that are obtained and consumed without the need to synthesize them.
In the field of depressant drugs of semi-synthetic origin, heroin undoubtedly stands out. In fact, as the world report on drugs from the office of the united notions against drugs and crime (UNODC) points out, heroin has been one of the most consumed drugs in recent years.
Finally, of synthetic origin we find methadone, a depressant drug that is mainly used to treat the physical symptoms produced by heroin addiction.
Effects of depressant drugs
Although each of the depressant substances presents a series of characteristics and, therefore, can produce different effects, these drugs share some effects. TO Although the central nervous system can be depressed through different pathways and to different degrees of intensity, when the level of brain activity is reduced, a series of common symptoms appear.
The effects of depressant drugs can be broadly grouped into two distinct categories. These are the short-term effects and the long-term effects.
short term effects
The main symptom produced by depressant drugs is slow brain function. By decreasing the activity of the central nervous system, when these substances are consumed, mental functioning decreases.
Apart from the decrease in brain function, the inhibition produced by these substances also affects physical functioning. Thus, after taking depressant drugs, both blood pressure and breathing can slow down.
Due to these two effects, these substances often cause difficulties with concentration and decreased attention. Likewise, confusion, fatigue or dizziness also appear frequently.
If doses are increased, these symptoms may become more noticeable and disorientation, incoordination, or lethargy may occur. In fact, a clearly visible symptom produced by the effects of depressant drugs is slurred speech during speech.
On a physiological level, various symptoms may also appear, such as pupil dilation, difficulties or inability to urinate and, in some cases, fever.
Short-term effects with high dose consumption
When the doses consumed are very high, depressant drugs can cause impairment of memory, judgment and coordination, irritability, paranoia, visual disturbances and suicidal thoughts.
It should be noted that these substances, whether used for recreational or therapeutic purposes, have a high addictive potential.
Obviously, not all depressant drugs are equally addictive, since heroin is much more addictive than anxiolytics. However, both types of substances can cause addiction if consumed regularly and uncontrolled.
Long-term effects
The long-term effects of depressant drugs are very different and can vary considerably depending on each substance. However, as previously mentioned, one of the effects that they all share is addiction.
With prolonged use of these substances, tolerance to the drug can be developed relatively easily. This means that the body gets used to the presence of the substance and increasingly requires higher doses to achieve the same effects.
This factor is especially relevant in the case of anxiolytics. If these are not used in an uncontrolled way, the person may require increasing doses to alleviate their anxious symptoms.
On the other hand, the long-term use of depressant drugs can cause depression, chronic fatigue, respiratory diseases, sexual problems and sleep disturbances. As dependence on the substance increases, symptoms such as: cravings, panic attacks, anxiety and continued discomfort when the drug is not used are also common.
When the addiction to the substance is very high, what is known as withdrawal syndrome may appear. This alteration appears at all times that the substance is not consumed.
Withdrawal syndrome includes symptoms such as insomnia, weakness, nausea, agitation, high body temperature, delusions, hallucinations, and seizures.
Finally, long-term use of depressant drugs can increase the risk of high blood sugar, diabetes, and weight gain.
Types of depressant drugs
The best known depressant drugs are heroin, alcohol and anxiolytics, however, there are many other types. ANDThese substances can be classified into different subgroups: opiates, sedative-hypnotics, volatile inhalants, and ethyl alcohol.
– Opioids
Opiates are the set of substances that are extracted from the juice of the seeds of the poppy or poppy plant.
These plants are cultivated on a large scale in Asia (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Burma and Laos). Likewise, in Europe (Balkans), Equatorial Africa (Nigeria), Central America (Mexico and Guatemala) and South America (Colombia, Peru and Ecuador) there are also plantations.
Its action is linked to the presence in the central nervous system and other target organs of specific and saturable receptors. Specifically, we found three types of receptors: the mu, the kappa and the delta.
Action on mu receptors produces general analgesia, sedation, feelings of well-being, respiratory depression, and decreased intestinal motility.
Kappa receptors are found in the spinal cord and when opioids alter their function they produce peripheral analgesia.
Finally, action on delta receptors produces peripheral analgesia and narcosis.
The drugs that are part of the opioid substances are: heroin, methadone, oxycodone and kraton.
Heroin
It is a substance with high lipid solubility, which is why it quickly reaches high concentrations in the central nervous system. It can be consumed both intravenously and smoked and has a high addictive potential.
The first experience produced by its consumption is known in popular slang as “riding the dragon”. It is usually characterized by symptoms such as peer pressure or personal reasons, nausea, vomiting, euphoria, anxiety and tremor.
At low doses, heroin produces chatty activity, relaxation, pain suppression, drowsiness, apathy, difficulty concentrating, decreased visual acuity, and miosis.
At high doses the effects are accentuated and labored breathing appears, abdominal orgasmic sensation and euphoria.
Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid developed in Germany in 1937 that is used as a drug for the detoxification treatment of heroin addicts.
Its consumption produces effects such as pupillary contraction, respiratory depression, bradycardia, muscle relaxation, antidiuretic hormone release, constipation, increased body temperature and increased blood glucose.
oxycodone
It is a semi-synthetic opiate derived from thebine that is consumed as a substance of abuse in the United States, where it is easily available at a low price.
Its effects are very similar to those of heroin and if very high doses are consumed they can cause seizures.
Kraton
The Kraton is a tree from the tropical forests of Southwest Asia (Thailand and Malaysia).
Its fresh leaves are chewed and used as a narcotic substitute for opium. It is a substance that produces a high addiction and dependence, and causes effects such as intense euphoria, increased strength and energy, and local anesthesia.
– Hypnotic-sedative substances
The sedative-hypnotic substances are made up of 4 different drugs: benzodiazepines, barbiturates, carisoprodol and GHB.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a group of sedative-hypnotic and central nervous system depressant substances that are used as anxiolytic drugs. In the market they can be found marketed under different names such as diazepam, oxazepam, clonazepam, etc.
They are agonist substances of the GABA A receptor, a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain function. Its use is limited to the treatment of anxiety, since it reduces anxious symptoms.
However, its consumption can produce other effects such as dysarthria, apathy, dry mouth, hypotonia or sedation.
Barbiturates
Barbituric acid was the first hypnotic synthesized. It is used as a sedative, anesthetic, and anticonvulsant, and was previously used to produce hypnosis.
This substance activates the GABA receptor, enhancing its response and can cause coma, stupor, and even death.
carisopradol
It is a muscle relaxant that produces drowsiness, ataxia, decreased level of consciousness, stupor, and incoordination.
At high doses it can also cause agitation, tachycardia, hypertonia and myclonic encephalopathy.
GHB
Also known…