How Depressants Affect Your Body

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesUsesHow They WorkPotential Pitfalls

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

Uses

How They Work

Potential Pitfalls

What are the most important things I should know about depressants?Some people experience serious side effects when taking depressants, such as suicidal ideation and seizures, requiring immediate medical attention.Depressant misuse can occur, and dependence on these drugs can lead to withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing their use.

What are the most important things I should know about depressants?

Some people experience serious side effects when taking depressants, such as suicidal ideation and seizures, requiring immediate medical attention.Depressant misuse can occur, and dependence on these drugs can lead to withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing their use.

If you’ve been prescribed a depressant, it’s important to know that it can cause drowsiness and decreased inhibition. They’re also a class of drugs with a risk of misuse and addiction, increasing one’s chances of taking too much, which can lead to coma or death.

Continue reading to learn the different types of depressants and how they are used. We also explore how these medications work, when they should be taken, and their potential risks.

Types of Depressants

Drugs that are classed as depressants include:

Barbiturates

Barbiturates, sometimes referred to as downers, are a type of CNS depressant that causes euphoria and relaxation when taken in small doses. Drugs that fall into this category include Mebaral (mephobarbital), Luminal (phenobarbital), and Nembutal (pentobarbital sodium).

During the early half of the 1900s, these drugs were viewed as safe.However, problems withbarbiturate addiction and deadly overdosessoon became apparent. Because the potential for misuse is so high, they are no longer used as commonly as in the past.

Barbiturate use has also declined due to the risk of certain side effects. Negative effects of barbiturates include impaired memory, judgment, and coordination, along with increased feelings of irritability, paranoia, andsuicidal ideation.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a type of CNS depressant that have sleep-inducing, sedative, muscle-relaxing, and anticonvulsant effects. Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Halcion (triazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam) are the mostcommonly prescribed benzodiazepines.

Because of their low toxicity and high effectiveness, these drugs have been used as a short-term treatment for anxiety and insomnia. They’re also sometimes prescribed for excessive agitation, muscle spasms, and seizures.

Benzodiazepines are generally viewed as safe in the short term. This is because long-term use—which is more common in older adults—can lead to tolerance, dependence, andwithdrawal symptomsupon cessation.

Benzodiazepine withdrawalcan make you feel anxious, irritable, or confused, and may also involve trouble sleeping and potentially seizures. Lowering drug dosage gradually can help reduce these symptoms.

Non-Benzodiazepine Sedative-Hypnotics

A third class of CNS depressants is sedative-hypnotics which are not benzodiazepines. They include sleep-promoting drugs such as Ambien (zolpidem), Lunesta (eszopiclone), and Sonata (zaleplon).

Non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics are sometimes considered safer than benzodiazepines since they have a shorter drug half-life and don’t affect normal sleep cycles.However, there are still risks associated with this class of drugs.

For example, one study found that older men taking a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic have a greater risk of falls.These drugs are also associated with a higher risk ofoverdose-related death—and the number of overdose deaths is on the rise.

If overdose is suspected, call911or seek immediate medical attention.

Uses for Depressants

Because these drugs slow brain activity, depressants can be helpful for treating acute stress, anxiety, panic attacks, andsleep disorders.They may be used to relieve symptoms associated with:

Who Should Take Depressants?

In some cases, CNS depressants might be used alongside psychotherapy.

How Depressants Work

When people first start taking depressants, they often experience feelings of excess sleepiness until their body adjusts to the medication. In addition to feeling drowsy or sleepy, people taking depressants can also experience:

If you experience any of these effects after taking a depressant, seek immediate medical attention or call911.

Potential Pitfalls of Taking Depressants

There are a few downfalls associated with depressant drugs.

Misuse and Dependence

Depressants have the potential for misuse and dependence. Sometimes people misuse these medications intentionally, but dependence can also occur after taking these medications as prescribed for an extended period.

When a person takes CNS depressants long-term, their body can build a tolerance to the medication. As a result, they have to take more of the drug to continue experiencing the same benefits. Over time, thesehigher doses can lead to dependence.

Dependence means that a person needs to keep taking the medication to avoid experiencing symptoms of withdrawal.

Withdrawal

If a person has become dependent on a CNS depressant, they may experience significant, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop taking it.Symptoms of withdrawalcan include:

Overdose

Depressants can also lead to overdose if too much of the substance is taken or it is combined with another substance. When people overdose on depressants, their breathing slows or even stops. This can lead to coma, brain damage, or death.

Medications You Should Never Mix With Alcohol

Summary

Depressants are drugs that affectneurotransmitters in the central nervous system. They slow brain activity to induce feelings of drowsiness, relaxation, and pain relief. Common types of depressants include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics.

CNS depressants are often prescribed to treat conditions related to stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and seizures. These medications can be safe and effective, but they do have a risk for tolerance, dependence, and overdose.

If you are prescribed depressants for a health condition, always take your medication exactly as prescribed. Doing so can help minimize the risk for dependence; although dependence may still occur if you take the medication for an extended period of time.

If you want to stop taking your medication, talk with your healthcare provider first to create a plan to minimize the risk of serious withdrawal effects, such as reducing your dosage slowly over time.

4 Major Classes of Anxiety Medications

14 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Borodovsky JT, Krauss MJ, Chi T, Bierut LJ, Grucza RA.Trends in prescribed central nervous system depressant medications among adults who regularly consume alcohol: United States 1999 to 2014.Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2019;43(7):1510-1518. doi:10.1111/acer.14081Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration.Depressants.Norn S, Permin H, Kruse E, Kruse PR.[On the history of barbiturates].Dansk Medicinhistorisk Arbog. 2015;43:133-151.Cleveland Clinic.Barbiturates.Drug Enforcement Administration.Barbiturates.Drug Enforcement Administration.Benzodiazepines.Olfson M, King M, Schoenbaum M.Benzodiazepine use in the United States.JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(2):136-42. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1763Soyka M.Treatment of benzodiazepine dependence.N Engl J Med. 2017;376:1147-1157. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1611832Diem SJ, Ewing SK, Stone KL, Ancoli-Israel S, Redline S, Ensrud KE.Use of non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics and risk of falls in older men.J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2014;3(3):158. doi:10.4172/2167-7182.1000158Tardelli VS, Bianco MCM, Prakash R, et al.Overdose deaths involving non-BZD hypnotic/sedatives in the USA: Trends analyses.Lancet Reg Health Amer. 2022;10:100190. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2022.100190National Cancer Institute.Central nervous system depressant.Alcohol and Drug Foundation.What are depressants?Doyno CR, White CM.Sedative-hypnotic agents that impact gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors: Focus on flunitrazepam, gamma-hyroxybutyric acid, phenibut, and selank.J Clin Pharmacol. 2021;61(S2):S114-S128. doi:10.1002/jcph.1922National Institute of Drug Abuse.What are prescription CNS depressants?

14 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Borodovsky JT, Krauss MJ, Chi T, Bierut LJ, Grucza RA.Trends in prescribed central nervous system depressant medications among adults who regularly consume alcohol: United States 1999 to 2014.Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2019;43(7):1510-1518. doi:10.1111/acer.14081Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration.Depressants.Norn S, Permin H, Kruse E, Kruse PR.[On the history of barbiturates].Dansk Medicinhistorisk Arbog. 2015;43:133-151.Cleveland Clinic.Barbiturates.Drug Enforcement Administration.Barbiturates.Drug Enforcement Administration.Benzodiazepines.Olfson M, King M, Schoenbaum M.Benzodiazepine use in the United States.JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(2):136-42. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1763Soyka M.Treatment of benzodiazepine dependence.N Engl J Med. 2017;376:1147-1157. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1611832Diem SJ, Ewing SK, Stone KL, Ancoli-Israel S, Redline S, Ensrud KE.Use of non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics and risk of falls in older men.J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2014;3(3):158. doi:10.4172/2167-7182.1000158Tardelli VS, Bianco MCM, Prakash R, et al.Overdose deaths involving non-BZD hypnotic/sedatives in the USA: Trends analyses.Lancet Reg Health Amer. 2022;10:100190. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2022.100190National Cancer Institute.Central nervous system depressant.Alcohol and Drug Foundation.What are depressants?Doyno CR, White CM.Sedative-hypnotic agents that impact gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors: Focus on flunitrazepam, gamma-hyroxybutyric acid, phenibut, and selank.J Clin Pharmacol. 2021;61(S2):S114-S128. doi:10.1002/jcph.1922National Institute of Drug Abuse.What are prescription CNS depressants?

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Borodovsky JT, Krauss MJ, Chi T, Bierut LJ, Grucza RA.Trends in prescribed central nervous system depressant medications among adults who regularly consume alcohol: United States 1999 to 2014.Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2019;43(7):1510-1518. doi:10.1111/acer.14081Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration.Depressants.Norn S, Permin H, Kruse E, Kruse PR.[On the history of barbiturates].Dansk Medicinhistorisk Arbog. 2015;43:133-151.Cleveland Clinic.Barbiturates.Drug Enforcement Administration.Barbiturates.Drug Enforcement Administration.Benzodiazepines.Olfson M, King M, Schoenbaum M.Benzodiazepine use in the United States.JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(2):136-42. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1763Soyka M.Treatment of benzodiazepine dependence.N Engl J Med. 2017;376:1147-1157. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1611832Diem SJ, Ewing SK, Stone KL, Ancoli-Israel S, Redline S, Ensrud KE.Use of non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics and risk of falls in older men.J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2014;3(3):158. doi:10.4172/2167-7182.1000158Tardelli VS, Bianco MCM, Prakash R, et al.Overdose deaths involving non-BZD hypnotic/sedatives in the USA: Trends analyses.Lancet Reg Health Amer. 2022;10:100190. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2022.100190National Cancer Institute.Central nervous system depressant.Alcohol and Drug Foundation.What are depressants?Doyno CR, White CM.Sedative-hypnotic agents that impact gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors: Focus on flunitrazepam, gamma-hyroxybutyric acid, phenibut, and selank.J Clin Pharmacol. 2021;61(S2):S114-S128. doi:10.1002/jcph.1922National Institute of Drug Abuse.What are prescription CNS depressants?

Borodovsky JT, Krauss MJ, Chi T, Bierut LJ, Grucza RA.Trends in prescribed central nervous system depressant medications among adults who regularly consume alcohol: United States 1999 to 2014.Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2019;43(7):1510-1518. doi:10.1111/acer.14081

Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration.Depressants.

Norn S, Permin H, Kruse E, Kruse PR.[On the history of barbiturates].Dansk Medicinhistorisk Arbog. 2015;43:133-151.

Cleveland Clinic.Barbiturates.

Drug Enforcement Administration.Barbiturates.

Drug Enforcement Administration.Benzodiazepines.

Olfson M, King M, Schoenbaum M.Benzodiazepine use in the United States.JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(2):136-42. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1763

Soyka M.Treatment of benzodiazepine dependence.N Engl J Med. 2017;376:1147-1157. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1611832

Diem SJ, Ewing SK, Stone KL, Ancoli-Israel S, Redline S, Ensrud KE.Use of non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics and risk of falls in older men.J Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2014;3(3):158. doi:10.4172/2167-7182.1000158

Tardelli VS, Bianco MCM, Prakash R, et al.Overdose deaths involving non-BZD hypnotic/sedatives in the USA: Trends analyses.Lancet Reg Health Amer. 2022;10:100190. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2022.100190

National Cancer Institute.Central nervous system depressant.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation.What are depressants?

Doyno CR, White CM.Sedative-hypnotic agents that impact gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors: Focus on flunitrazepam, gamma-hyroxybutyric acid, phenibut, and selank.J Clin Pharmacol. 2021;61(S2):S114-S128. doi:10.1002/jcph.1922

National Institute of Drug Abuse.What are prescription CNS depressants?

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