Depressants
Depressants are drugs or chemicals that slow down, or depress the activity of the central nervous system. They are separated into three common categories: barbiturates, sedatives, and tranquilizers. Another substance that is commonly used is alcohol, which also considers to be a depressant. Depressants usually come in tablets or in red, yellow, or blue capsules (see picture 1). Some common and interesting street names of depressants are: Red Devils, Yellow Jackets, Christmas Trees, Pink Ladies, Goof Balls, and King Kong Pills. Depressants can either be synthesized or can appear naturally in plants such as curare and belladonna. In 1864, German chemist Adolph Von Bayer discovered what he named "barbiturate" after Saint Barbara of artillery officers. In 1903, the first barbiturate, Venronal, was marketed, following by Phenobarbital in 1912. Barbiturates were very popular in the early 1900's, but today, only about twenty percent of all depressant prescriptions are for barbiturates in the United States. There are more than 2,500 known types of barbiturates, but only about fifty of them are used for medicinal applications, and among these fifty types, only about fifteen are mainly used. Bromides were first synthesized for med
ical use in 1837 and became the earliest prescribed sedatives. If taken in a large dose, sedatives act as a hypnotic and their effects last for three to six hours, depending on the type of sedatives used. They reduce nervous tension, change the mood of the user, and have a relaxing and calming effect on muscles and the central nervous system. When injected into the body, barbiturates can also damage the veins. Sometimes, sedatives can release aggression by lowering the user's inhibitions. Cocaine or heroin abusers also used benzodiazepines and other depressants to increase their rushes of euphoria or alter the side affects related to over-stimulation or narcotic withdrawal. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, is used with other medications to prevent epileptic seizures and to treat mild anxiety. Their withdrawal symptoms are long lasting, including nausea, mental confusion, restlessness, convulsions, nightmares, and inability to sleep.
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