Depressants slow down (or “depress”) the normal activity that goes on in the brain. Alcohol is a depressant. Doctors often prescribe central nervous system (CNS) depressants to patients who are anxious or can’t sleep. When used as directed, CNS depressants are safe and helpful for people who need them.

1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Depressants
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2. Overview
Depressants slow down (or “depress”)
the normal activity that goes on in the brain.
Alcohol is a depressant.
Doctors often prescribe central nervous
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3. Overview
system (CNS) depressants to patients who are
anxious or can’t sleep. When
used as directed, CNS depressants are safe and
helpful for people who need
them.
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4. Types of depressants
CNS depressants can be divided into three
main groups:
-- Barbiturates, which are used to treat
some forms of epilepsy
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5. Types of depressants
-- Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax), which
can be used to treat severe stress, panic attacks,
convulsions, and sleep
disorders
-- Sleep medications (Ambien, Sonata,
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6. Types of depressants
Lunesta), which, as the name suggests, are used to
help people with diagnosed
sleep problems
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7. How they work
**How They Work**
Most CNS depressants affect the brain in
the same way—they enhance the activity of the
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
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8. How they work
**How They Work**
GABA is a neurotransmitter, one of the naturally
occurring chemicals in
the brain that sends messages between cells.
GABA works by slowing down brain
activity.
Although different classes of CNS
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9. How they work
**How They Work**
depressants work in unique ways, they ultimately
increase GABA activity, which
produces a drowsy or calming effect.
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10. How they work
**Effects When Abused**
CNS depressants can be addictive* and
should be used only as prescribed. Otherwise,
they can bring about major
health problems, including addiction. Combining
them with alcohol or
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11. How they work
**Effects When Abused**
other drugs like pain medications can lead to
slowed breathing and heart rate,
and even death.
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