Depressants
For centuries, people of almost every culture have used chemical agents to induce sleep, relieve stress, and calm anxiety. While alcohol is one of the oldest and most universal agents used for these purposes, hundreds of substances have been developed that produce central nervous system depression.
These drugs have been referred to as downers, sedatives, hypnotics, minor tranquilizers, anxiolytics, and anti-anxiety medications. Unlike many classes of drugs, depressants are rarely produced in illegal warehouses, but in pharmaceutical laboratories. While these drugs are made for legitimate medical needs of patients, they are often abused with dangerous results.
Types of Depressants
Last reviewed October 2012
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Below are links PAMF accessed when researching this topic. PAMF does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them.
NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse.