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Depressants
barbiturates
tranquilizers
What are Depressants?
Depressants are drugs that depress, or slow down the body's functions. Often these drugs are taken to calm a person down, or to help them sleep.
Examples
Barbiturates, tranquilizers, metaqualone, benzodiazepines, inhalants, chloral hydrate and glutethimids are all depressants.
Slang Terms
Some common slang terms for depressants are tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, yellows, yellow jackets, barbs, reds, redbirds, tooies, red devils, phennies, downers, blue devils, lude, candy, blockbusters, tranks dolls, goofballs, peanuts and V`s.
How do Depressants Affect the Body?
When depressants are taken under doctors' supervision they slow down the central nervous system to encourage sleep. WHen they are abused they can cause impaired vision and hearing, impaired muscular coordination, lightheadedness, moodiness, confusion, hallucinations, insomnia, mood swings, poor coordination, and slurred speech.
Long term use can cause irregular menstrual cycles, loss of muscular coordination, respiratory problems, sleep disorders, impotence and reduced sex drive, impaired memory, apathy, loss of appetite and decreased motivation.