Hi Brandon Oto
I was really confused to find a link to understand simply the relation between activation/inhibition and stimulation/depression. It is now clear to me that stimulation can occur by both ways; activation of sympathetic pathway or inhibition of parasympathetic and vice versa for depression. Stimulation or depression is like a result while activation and inhibition is a pathway to get to this result. I imagine it could be like a scale where we can add more weight on one side or remove same weight from other side to get the same difference between forces. Thanks very much for this clear explanation.
Depressants are often referred to as “downers,” as they slow the body’s functioning systems down. They literally depress or slow down the central nervous system, producing a quieting or relaxing effect. While heroin and opioids are classified as narcotics, they are also central nervous system depressants. One of the most widely used depressants is alcohol. Depressants are addictive, and those who take them to achieve a relaxed sensation will build up a tolerance. This means that the user will need more of the drug to achieve the same results. This increases the risk of overdose and keeps a person relying upon the drug or alcohol to maintain normalcy. Depressants, like other drugs, change brain chemistry, causing a person to become physically reliant on the substance. Other examples of depressants include valium, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), and Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
There is controversy concerning the safety of benzodiazepines in pregnancy. While they are not major teratogens , uncertainty remains as to whether they cause cleft palate in a small number of babies and whether neurobehavioural effects occur as a result of prenatal exposure; they are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn . Benzodiazepines can be taken in overdoses and can cause dangerous deep unconsciousness . However, they are much less toxic than their predecessors, the barbiturates , and death rarely results when a benzodiazepine is the only drug taken; however, when combined with other central nervous system depressants such as alcohol and opiates , the potential for toxicity and fatal overdose increases. Benzodiazepines are commonly misused and taken in combination with other drugs of abuse . In addition, all benzodiazepines are listed in Beers List , which is significant in clinical practice.