Depressants

The most well-known depressants are alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids and opiates, marijuana, and barbiturates. They may also be known as downers.  Each of these drugs can result in addiction if not used properly.

Alcohol

Even though alcohol is legal for people 18 and older, it contains ethanol, a chemical that causes a person to become intoxicated. It causes the heart muscle to stretch and drop over long periods of time. In addition, it increases a person’s risk for high blood pressure. Even more alarming, alcohol may weaken the immune system and increase a person’s chances of having a stroke.

Since alcohol can calm anxious people, depression is a common adverse effect that can lead to suicidal thoughts and death. Alcohol is used by many people to escape stress.  Others believe drinking helps them have more fun. While this may be true, the long-term side effects can be serious.

Benzodiazepines

Physicians prescribe benzodiazepines to people who have sleeping problems. They also prescribe them to prevent muscle spasms, seizure disorders, and even anxiety before surgeries. Examples of these are Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Serax, and Librium. Benzodiazepines are addictive if individuals abuse them. They should only use them for short periods of time.

Opioids and Opiates

Doctors prescribe opiates or opioids to treat moderate to severe pain.  Unfortunately, they can be highly addictive when people use them frequently. These drugs stimulate specific parts of the brain to produce pain-relieving effects. Since these drugs can calm the body, certain health factors may arise such as heart palpitations and shallow breathing. Confusion, chills, and sweating are also adverse effects of opioids and opiates. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms is very common when taking yourself off of these drugs because of the body’s physical and mental craving for them. Opioids and opiates are highly addictive.

Marijuana

Marijuana is classified as a depressant because it causes sedation, relaxation, and reduced levels of alertness.  Even though marijuana is a recreational drug, it can calm the body and alleviate pain when used medically. This drug is made from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant (also called Cannabis). It affects the parts of the brain that deal with judgment, emotions, memory, and self-control.

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are a type of depressant that can be taken independently. They treat seizure disorders and provide pain relief. Medical professionals also use barbiturates with anesthesia to aid in sedation for surgery. Although these drugs can calm the body, there are many adverse effects that can stem from using it. You can risk prenatal problems, heart problems, addiction, and dependence. Individuals risk the possibility of a fatal overdose also with these drugs.

Muscle Relaxers

Physicians prescribe muscle relaxers to relax the body’s muscles (hence the name).  Many times patients present with strained or pulled muscles to the doctor. Muscle relaxers relax these muscles so they can heal sooner. They are classified as a depressant because they leave the body calm and the mind drowsy. They loosen the tightness in the body as well as ease the tension from previous injuries that a person may have.

Antipsychotics

Medical professionals prescribe antipsychotics to control an intensified mood of someone who has bipolar disorder.  Antipsychotics mainly treat mental illness issues such as hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions.  For patients with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or severe depression and anxiety, antipsychotics can lessen the symptoms in times of intense emotions.