Misusing sedatives, which means taking them in amounts or ways other than what the doctor prescribed, can have detrimental effects for a person, including overdose. People taking sedatives who plan to become pregnant should talk with a doctor. Another 2019 study indicates that the use of antianxiety medications during early pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia and may also lead to preterm birth and a low birth weight. Nicotine is a psychoactive drug found in the nightshade family of plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide. Nicotine is the main cause for the dependence-forming properties of tobacco use, and tobacco use is a major health threat. Nicotine creates both psychological and physical addiction, and it is one of the hardest addictions to break.
In contrast to stimulants, which work to increase neural activity, a depressant acts to slow down consciousness. A depressant is a psychoactive drug that reduces the activity of the CNS. Depressants are widely used as prescription medicines to relieve pain, to lower heart rate and respiration, and as anticonvulsants. The outcome of depressant use (similar to the effects of sleep) is a reduction in the transmission of impulses from the lower brain to the cortex (Csaky & Barnes, 1984).
Long-term or recreational use can lead to dependence and addiction. As mentioned earlier, barbiturate dependence is noted to be a considerable problem. Tolerance to the sedative-hypnotic effects of barbiturates will develop with repeated use, but the same cannot be said for toxic effects such as respiratory depression. Consequently, the barbiturate-tolerant individual keeps increasing the dose needed for euphoria until it catches up with the lethal dose. Barbiturates were routinely used to induce sleep in psychotic patients and were prescribed to treat insomnia and anxiety.
When used in a medical or dental setting, a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is dispensed by an anesthesia machine with a fail-safe system to protect the patient from hypoxia. The system shuts down the delivery of nitrous oxide if the oxygen content falls below 30% (the concentration of oxygen in room air is 21%). Another safeguard for nitrous oxide use is scavenging systems to remove nitrous oxide from the air and prevent toxicity in patients and dental staff. The vapors in inhalants compete with oxygen, which means users of inhalants may have a low oxygen supply. Coupled with slowed breathing or respiratory failure, this may result in a delayed death. However, inhalants are known to cause immediate arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, known as sudden sniffing death syndrome.
Who Should Take Depressants?
Continued use of stimulants may result in severe psychological depression. The effects of the stimulant methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as “Ecstasy,” provide a good example. MDMA is a very strong stimulant that very successfully prevents the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Yes, withdrawal is a possible complication of misusing benzodiazepines.
- Since they share similar functions and many sedatives cause hypnotic effects at higher doses (and vice-versa), they are usually referred to as a single class of drug, sedative-hypnotics.
- People who misuse the medication or become dependent on it may have more severe symptoms, such as very slow breathing and memory loss.
- Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to reduce pain.133 Medically, they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia.
- Related to barbiturates, benzodiazepines are a family of depressants used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms.
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
At the same time, the drug also releases dopamine, the reward neurotransmitter. In this way Chantix dampens nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings. In many cases people are able to get past the physical dependence, allowing them to quit smoking at least temporarily. In the long run, however, the psychological enjoyment of smoking may lead to relapse. Excessive CNS depression is when the central nervous system slows down to notable or even alcoholism and narcissism dangerous levels. Harmful levels of CNS depression are caused by the misuse of CNS depressants, which are drugs used to treat conditions like anxiety and sleep disorders.
GHB is an intermediate familial subtype endogenous neurotransmitter that is synthesized in GABA neurons. There appears to be a dynamic relationship between GHB and GABA in that each is a precursor as well as a by-product of the other. In some cases, CNS depressants might be used alongside psychotherapy.
How long can I stay on benzodiazepines?
As indicated by the name, inhalants are administered by inhaling the substance over some time at high concentrations. The following video is a succinct review of GHB, a brief history, illicit uses, mechanism of action, its dose-related pharmacological effects, illicit uses, and a clinical case scenario. Dependence means that a person needs to keep taking the medication to avoid experiencing symptoms of withdrawal. If overdose is suspected, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. The most important thing is to be honest with your prescriber regarding how to store urine for drug test your symptoms, and to communicate honestly.
GHB is metabolized rapidly and has a short half-life of about 30 minutes. Because of this, GHB is eliminated from the body faster than most drugs and can only be detected for 8-12 hours after its administration. This is part of the reason why the use of GHB as a date-rape drug is hard to track. A urine sample would need to be analyzed within a day of the suspected administration for there to be any chance of getting a positive result. GABAA receptors are comprised of five protein subunits surrounding the central chloride ion pore.
As a result, flunitrazepam is a well-studied drug in the U.S. (and in many places worldwide). Healthcare providers can test for it and treat people under its influence (see below under “What are the disadvantages, side effects and complications that are possible with benzodiazepines?”). If you have signs of an overdose, like your ability to breathe slows or stops, seek immediate medical attention.