Depressant

Uncommon card · No. 117488

Depressants, also known as central nervous system depressants, or colloquially known as "downers", are a class of psychoactive drugs characterised by decreasing neurotransmission levels, decreasing the electrical activity of brain cells, or reducing arousal or stimulation in various areas of the brain. In contrast, stimulants, or "uppers", increase mental alertness, making stimulants the opposite drug class from depressants. Commonly used depressants include alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines. Depressants are closely related to sedatives as a category of drugs. The terms may sometimes be used interchangeably or may be used in somewhat different contexts. Nearly all commonly used depressants are addictive, and use of them carries the risk of death from respiratory depression, especially in opioids. Depressants are used throughout the world as prescription medicines and illicit substances. Alcohol is a depressant. When depressants are used, effects often include ataxia, anxiolysis,...

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