Understanding CNS Depression and Its Impact on Mental Health

Because inhalants are a heterogeneous collection of chemicals, it can be difficult to summarize drug actions. Inhalants often are allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors as well as antagonists at glutamate NMDA receptors. Both actions result in decreased CNS activity and depressant effect. Barbiturates were routinely used to induce sleep in psychotic patients and were prescribed to treat insomnia and anxiety.

• Because of their widespread use by children, inhalants are reportedly the fourth-most misused substance after alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.
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• It’s as if these drugs are giving GABA a megaphone, amplifying its calming message throughout the brain.
• While sudden overdose is a real risk, the long-term impact of using depressants is also worrisome.

The release of dopamine due to GHB receptor activity also contributes to the addictive properties of the drug. GHB found its main use as a club drug or party drug because of its euphoric effects at low doses. It is also easier to manufacture than most other club drugs, making it an attractive alternative. GHB is also occasionally used as a date-rape drug due to the drug’s ability to induce unconsciousness and amnesia. It is colorless and odorless and can be easily poured into a drink without notice. Barbiturates are positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors.

GABAA receptors are comprised of five protein subunits surrounding the central chloride ion pore. The most common type of GABAA receptor has two α subunits, two β subunits, and one γ subunit, as seen in the diagram below. The primary binding site, also known as the orthosteric site, is where GABA normally binds to the receptor. The classical GABAA receptor is part of what is called the GABAA chloride channel receptor complex. The good news is that the brain, in all its resilient glory, has a remarkable capacity for healing.

In some cases, drug problems might not imply addiction, but if your life has become unmanageable, addiction treatment can be highly beneficial in the long run. We’re here to support your recovery journey from CNS depressants. There are so many risks and addictive potential of over-the-counter drugs. Possible outcomes may involve a slow heart rate and breathing difficulties, which can be lethal. Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants exert their effects by specifically interacting with GABA neurotransmitters. When GABA slows down the brain’s activity, the resulting experience is one of tranquility and relaxation.

Treatment and Management of CNS Depression

Cognitive rehabilitation and brain training techniques can also play a vital role in recovery. These approaches aim to strengthen cognitive skills and help the brain build new, healthier neural pathways. It’s like physical therapy for the mind, helping it regain strength and flexibility after injury.

Nearly all are available in pill form, though some are available as liquids or capsules. Barbiturates, which were commonly used in the mid-1900s, include drugs such as Pentothal, butalbital and Nembutal. These are highly addictive but also create tolerances quickly, requiring the individual to use more to get the same high. A newer classification is benzodiazepines, which includes Valium, Restoril, Ativan and Xanax, as well as Lunesta, Sonata and Ambien.

This would typically go away when you stop using the medication or when your body adjusts to the medication. If you have signs of an overdose, like your ability to breathe slows or stops, seek immediate medical attention. Some CNS depressants become less effective over time, so that a person may feel the need to take a larger dose.

What Causes CNS Depression?

Specifically, they reduce the time needed to fall asleep, increase the time spent asleep, and reduce the occurrence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Their effects ripple through every aspect of our neural function, from basic cognitive processes to our very sense of self. Various therapeutic approaches can help mitigate brain damage caused by depressants. From medications that support brain function to therapies that promote neurogenesis (the growth of new neurons), medical science offers a range of tools to aid in recovery. It’s like providing the brain with scaffolding and building materials to repair its damaged structures.

Other Factors That Affect CNS Depression

Some common types of opioids typically prescribed for severe pain include Vicodin and Percocet. Sometimes, a person may not realize they are at risk of an overdose, such as when they use opioid pain relief medication and then drink alcohol. Several substances can depress the CNS, ranging from anti-anxiety and sleep medications to so-called recreational drugs, such as heroin.

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CNS depression occurs when a person’s central nervous system has slowed down, causing a slower heart rate and slower breathing. Once your CNS is back on track, you’ll need to address the source of the problem. If you have a condition that requires medication, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s instructions for care. If you’ve become addicted to alcohol or drugs, you’ll need to safely withdrawal from the chemicals and commit to long-term treatment for addiction. In small doses, these drugs slow brain function, producing a calm or sleepy feeling.

• The classical GABAA receptor is part of what is called the GABAA chloride channel receptor complex.
• Prescription benzodiazepines and opioids carry the highest level of warning from the U.S.
• Although we will not be exploring them in this chapter, keep this in mind.
• They work by increasing your brain’s production of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
• Each of these classes plays a significant role in the management of various mental and physiological conditions.

Although they have a lower risk of dependency than other CNS depressants, long-term use may cause the condition. Examples of CNS depressants include tranquilizers, hypnotics, and sedatives. In recent years, doctors have prescribed opioid painkillers for many conditions, but overuse of these drugs can lead to problems. Depressants, also called central nervous system depressants, are a type of prescription medication used for treating anxiety, acute stress reactions, or panic disorders. They work to slow down the brain’s activity and include sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers.

Many mental health professionals may prescribe CNS depressants as part of treatment plans for a range of mental health disorders. For instance, benzodiazepines such as Xanax are often prescribed to manage conditions like anxiety. However, while these substances can be effective in managing symptoms, they carry a potential risk of what are central nervous system depressants dependency.

Depressants are a class of drugs that slow down the activity of the central nervous system (CNS). They are commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. At PMHC in Philadelphia, we believe in educating our patients about the effects of these medications. In this blog, we will explore how depressants affect the CNS and their impact on overall health.

More on drugs and other substances

In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strengthened their warning that benzodiazepine use can lead to addiction. Combined with alcohol, opiods, and other CNS depressants, they can be life-threatening. CNS depression does not only result from the use of medications and other substances. Genes passed down in families may play a role in how antidepressants affect you. For some people, blood tests, where available, may offer clues about how their bodies may respond to a particular antidepressant. But other things besides genetics can affect your response to medicine.

FHE Health Offers Treatment for Depressant Addiction

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. Some of these substances, for example, codeine, are present in medications for coughs or diarrhea.

For example, dopamine, one type of neurotransmitter, primarily generates feelings of pleasure within the midbrain area. On the other hand, GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, operates differently; its primary role is to slow down or relax brain activity. For men and women using depressants for any reason, it is critical to seek out substance use disorder care from a trusted and experienced location.

While some changes induced by chronic depressant use may be long-lasting or even permanent, many effects can be reversed with time and proper treatment. When depressants first hit the brain, the effects can be both subtle and dramatic. It’s like watching a time-lapse video of a flower wilting – at first, the changes are barely noticeable, but soon the transformation becomes undeniable.