Inhalant is an umbrella term that refers to numerous chemicals that can be inhaled to produce intoxication. These chemicals can be found in various household goods and cleaning supplies such as glues, aerosol sprays, paint thinner, nail polish remover, gasoline, whipped cream, and felt-tip markers. A notable inhalant is nitrous oxide, a gas used as an anesthetic in surgeries and dentistry. These substances are typically unregulated and can be easily purchased or found in products around the house. GHB is metabolized rapidly and has a short half-life of about 30 minutes.
2. Barbiturates
- Depressants are a class of drugs that slow down the activity of the central nervous system (CNS).
- The most widely prescribed and abused benzos may include Valium, Ativan, and Xanax.
- By increasing GABA activity, CNS depressants effectively calm the nervous system.
- Prolonged consumption of alcohol may also contribute towards the development of dependency, tolerance, and addiction.
- The severity of CNS depression symptoms depends on several factors, including the type of drug, dosage, and individual medical history.
CNS depression or overdose is a common cause of poisoning in many developed countries, including the U.S. and Canada. Since 2000, more than 300,000 Americans have died of an opioid overdose. Data for 2016 estimates at least 64,000 drug overdose deaths, the highest number ever recorded in the United States. Mixing CNS depressants, opioids, and alcohol increases their effect. There may be severe adverse reactions and possibly life-threatening consequences. These can treat seizure disorders and anxiety, but doctors rarely prescribe them nowadays.
After the completion of detoxification, the patient will receive further treatment at an inpatient or outpatient recovery facility. These treatment facilities provide services such as therapy, counseling, and introduction to support groups to help patients address the psychological dependence on the drug. Patients with severe addiction and co-occurring disorders are required to seek treatment at an inpatient treatment facility. Treatment provided at these centers and the duration of treatment may vary from patient to patient. Benzodiazepines, also known as Benzos, are also used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, although they are considered less addictive than barbiturates.
It is estimated that one in four grade school and middle school students have intentionally used a common household product to get high by the time they reach the eighth grade. For most, inhalants are the first abusable drugs encountered due to curiosity but rarely a deliberate attempt to get high. Studies have shown that as users age, they tend to use inhalants less often. Because of their widespread use by children, inhalants are reportedly the fourth-most misused substance after alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.
It is colorless and odorless and can be easily poured into a drink without notice. As such, their reabsorption in the renal tubules can be affected by urinary pH. In the case of poisonings, an antidotal measure is acidification of the urine with ammonium chloride. The reduction in urinary pH causes more and more of the barbiturate to become ionized. This, in turn, impedes its ability to be reabsorbed from the renal tubules back into the circulation. Thus, the excessive barbiturate in the body is eliminated in the urine. This is exactly the opposite from how to treat an overdose with a weak base such as amphetamine.
Moreover, the accessibility of GHB contributes to its abuse potential. The ease of obtaining this chemical substance makes it more susceptible to misuse. Your body type also plays a role, as individuals with certain genetic predispositions may be more prone to developing a dependency on CNS depressants. Symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal typically start within 1-4 days after stopping the medication.
Treatment & Support
Withdrawal symptoms can be very harsh what is a cns depressant which encourages repeated and frequent misuse to maintain the high. Addiction can happen quickly after just a few uses; or in some cases, one use. Tolerance occurs, which means more of the substance needs to be taken to maintain the desired high. Unfortunately, some people misuse CNS stimulants for their ability to increase energy levels. Some CNS stimulants also create a brief feeling of euphoria or temporarily increase self-confidence. As mentioned earlier, nitrous oxide is used as a general anesthetic.
- When GHB and alcohol are combined, the sedative and depressant effects are amplified, and GHB may reduce the rate at which alcohol is eliminated from the system.
- Sleep medications like Ambien work by slowing down brain activity, which makes them a good choice if you have a sleep disorder.
- You may also be at higher risk if you have existing respiratory problems such as emphysema and sleep apnea.
- Barbiturates are drugs typically used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
Drugs and Behavior
CNS depressants carry a set of side effects and risks for addiction, despite their medical uses. Patients undergoing benzodiazepine or barbiturate withdrawal may also experience a rebound reaction in which the disorder they were initially treating reappears stronger than before. For example, patients who are prescribed Xanax for anxiety will endure intense anxiety during withdrawal. Due to the intensity of CNS depressant withdrawals, patients are highly advised to seek medical assistance if they wish to cease consumption.
And that’s especially true when you find out your immune system might be damaging your brain and spinal cord. The good news is that many people with CNS vasculitis find a combination of medications that manage it. Once you find treatments that work, your provider will help you minimize how much the symptoms affect your life. While they offer significant benefits, people must be aware of potential risks and side effects. Individuals should discuss openly with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment plan tailored to their needs. Now that you understand the effects of CNS depressants, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential risks they pose.
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Feeling down or anxious occasionally can be a typical part of life, but for some, these feelings persist, leading to significant distress. Recognizing these risk factors early on can help you seek appropriate help and support, so that you can avoid the harmful consequences of CNS depressant abuse. These physical side effects can significantly impact your daily life, and increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Benzodiazepines also referred to as “benzos,” are central nervous system depressants. A few of the most popular benzos include Valium, Xanax, and Ativan.
SSRIs are a class of antidepressant medications that influence serotonin, a chemical messenger that acts as a neurotransmitter and hormone. It exists in the brain, intestines, and platelets, which is crucial in regulating mood, memory, sleep, and digestion. Yes, CNS depressants have a high potential for abuse and addiction due to their calming effects. Depressants play a crucial role in managing various medical conditions, but they also come with potential risks and side effects. At PMHC in Philadelphia, we emphasize the importance of using these medications responsibly and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Because they increase efficacy, they are known as positive allosteric modulators. Positive allosteric modulators do not increase the amount of GABA present in the synapse like reuptake inhibitors or activate the receptor on their own, as in the case of direct agonists. Instead, they change the conformation of the receptor so that it is more responsive to GABA binding. There are allosteric binding sites for various ligands, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and neurosteroids. As yet, an allosteric site where ethanol works is not known, although the inhibitory effects of ethanol are ultimately mediated through the GABAA receptor. CNS depressants have a compound called gamma-hydroxybutyrate, which is also naturally present in the body and gets converted into gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Although they have a lower risk of dependency than other CNS depressants, long-term use may cause the condition. These drugs are used to treat pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, and stress. Your central nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord and controls functions like your blood circulation and digestion. All the participants had been on antidepressants for at least six months before the study began. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, known as SSRIs, were the most common antidepressants prescribed. Long-term follow-up studies are difficult due to high attrition rates and loss of follow-up 24.
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At the same time, some drugs produce sedative effects through mechanisms other than the GABA receptor. Antihistamines, one such example, act at histamine receptors and cause drowsiness as a side effect. Although we will not be exploring them in this chapter, keep this in mind. When they bind to the receptor, they change its conformation so that GABA has increased efficacy at the orthosteric site.
