Depressants
Definition
Depressants are drugs that reduce arousal and stimulation in certain areas of the brain by slowing down bodily functions and neural activity.
Analogy
Think of depressants as the brakes on a car. Just like how brakes slow down a speeding vehicle, depressants slow down your brain's activity.
Related terms
Sedatives: Drugs that calm individuals or reduce excitement or irritability.
Benzodiazepines: A type of prescription drug that works as a sedative affecting mood and behavior, often used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Opioids: A class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription. They can cause drowsiness and mood changes.
"Depressants" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (1)
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.