Health tips:
Depressants are prescription drugs which can cause great damage to any person, especially if abused. However, if taken under doctors’ orders, these can be useful in the treatment of different illnesses.
Three main groups of Depressants
1. Sedative hypnotics - drugs used to treat people who have trouble sleeping
2. Tranquilizers - drugs used to relieve anxiety and tension
3. Alcohol -slows down brain function and other parts of the nervous system
Barbiturates
Most people today suffer from stress due to everyday concerns and problems. To reduce stress, some people turn to alcohol; others turn to drugs to bring back a feeling of calmness. One such class of drugs is called barbiturates. These drugs serve to depress the central nervous system and are often called sleeping pills.
Barbiturates are considered as general depressants because of their capability to depress a wide range of body function or inhibit the normal activity of the nerves, skeletal muscles, smooth muscles and heart muscles. These drugs have slang names like:
(Barbs, goof balls, sleeping pills, candy, sleepers, downers)
Medical uses of barbiturates
1. Treatment of anxiety and tension
2. Used in various type of convulsive disorders caused by epilepsy, tetanus or drugs
3. Sedate and relax patients prior to surgery
4. Used by psychiatrists in the diagnosis and treatment of certain mental disorders
5. Widely used as anesthetics for brief surgical procedures
6. Used by dentists as anesthesia for tooth extraction
7. Used in calming down people under unusual tension or stress
8. Used in the treatment of certain nervous disorders
Effects of Using Barbiturates
Medically Prescribed Doses
Mildly depress the action of the nerves, skeletal muscles, heart, and breathing and lower blood pressure
Higher Doses
1. Effects resemble alcohol drunkenness
2. Confusion; slow and staggering speech
3. Impaired thinking concentration
4. Weakened emotional control
5. Irritability, anger and violent tendencies
6. Sleepiness
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