Depressants

=**DEPRESSANTS**=

Depressants are known as drugs that reduce the functionality and efficiency of the brain and/or other parts of the human body temporarily. Depressants fall into the category of **psychoactive drug**s. [1] These drugs are chemical substances that successfully infiltrate the blood-brain barrier of human beings and ultimately affect the central nervous system. In response, the brain functions differently, resulting in alterations in consciousness, behavior, and perception. __Examples:__
 * __What are Depressants?__**
 * Alcohol
 * Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers)
 * Barbiturates (s edative-hypnotics)

__Small doses:__ As mentioned above, depressants slow down the functions of both the mental and physical areas of the human body. Thus, in low doses, depressant drugs induce a feeling of calmness and relieve anxiety. Additionally, considering sedatives, depressants can also induce sleepiness and numbness. Moreover, when used in prescribed amounts, depressants may relax muscles and lower blood pressure. [2]
 * __Effects of Depressants__**

__Large doses:__ On the other hand, when depressants are induced in larger amounts, one will witness multiple negative effects. For instance, an abuse in painkillers can lead the person taking the medication to enter a coma or, in worse cases, lead to immediate death. [3] In addition, as constantly mentioned in drug talks, the abuse of depressants can lead to addiction, given that their “relaxing” results tend to tranquilize the person inducing. Furthermore, an overdose of depressants can cause “permanent brain damage, liver failure, and kidney problems.” [4]

**__Typical reasons for usage:__**
 * To reduce feelings of anxiety, panic, and stress
 * To induce sleepiness
 * To boost mood and improve sociability
 * To relieve aches and pains
 * To relax muscles
 * To lower blood pressure and/or heart rate

**__Alcohol__** Alcohol, or in this case, ethanol, is the second most popular psychoactive drug in the world, subsequent to caffeine. [5] Alcohol is a legal drug, but every nation around the world imposes its own laws regarding its use. For example, the United States has legalized the use of alcohol for adults of 21 years of age and older. In contrast, countries such as France and Italy believe that adolescents who are 16 years old have the right to consume alcohol as well. Alcohol plays a huge role in social life, especially in younger age groups, given that it is often seen as the “first step to maturity”. Originally, alcohol is used as an antiseptic before injections and is also used to disinfect wounds. However, when alcohol is used as a drink it can lead to multiple alterations in behaviors and moods. Usually, alcohol and other depressants are described as “anti-depressants”, because of their ability to relieve symptoms of mental depression and reallocate thoughts to “happier” aspects. [6]

__Short term effects:__
 * Dilates small blood vessels and leads to a feeling of warmth and comfort (St. Bernard rescue dogs have brandy bottles around their necks for victims caught in snow)
 * Eases up the drinker and increases sociability
 * **Larger quantities** = judgment and concentration are affected, leading the victim to possibly react in irrational manners (ways he/she wouldn’t react without the effects of alcohol)
 * Abuse of alcohol can lead to violent/submissive behaviors depending on each individual
 * Drinker becomes less aware of his/her surroundings and his/her actions
 * Drinker slurs his/her words or constantly loses his/her balance

__Long term effect:__
 * Severe liver disease = **cirrhosis** and liver cancer
 * “Cirrhosis is a condition/disease in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions due to chronic injury. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, partially blocking the flow of blood through the liver.” [7]
 * Could lead to coronary heart disease
 * Could lead to high blood pressures
 * Drinker may suffer strokes and has a risk of **dementia**
 * Dementia is not a disease, but it is a case where a person loses his/her ability to think intellectually and ultimately allows the impaired mind to interfere with activities and relationships
 * During pregnancy, alcohol abuse can cause miscarriage and/or cause severe fetal abnormalities

Finally, people who consistently induce alcohol and suddenly stop drinking are vulnerable to delirium tremens, where the drinker is a victim to severe shaking Aside the short term and long term effects, alcohol plays a huge role in the consumption of other drugs. When one is under the influence of alcohol, the probability of trying new drugs is much higher. If alcohol and other drugs are mixed, alcohol can enhance the effect of the other drugs and ultimately lead to death. For instance, the mixture of aspirin and alcohol increases the risk of stomach bleeding.

__Structure:__ As studied in class, alcohol (ethanol) has the (O-H) functional group. In other words, alcohols always have the hydroxyl (O-H) functional group.

* For a visual representation of the long term effects of alcohol, click on the link below: []

* This second video also relates to alcohol and its effects on the human body and mind. The video is somewhat long, but contains relaly good information: []

__** Benzodiazepines **__ __Structure:__ This is the core structure of a benzodiazepine where each of the "R" chains differ for every benzodiazepine. In other words, benzodiazepines have their unique properties. For instance, Chlordiazepoxide, the first benzodiazepine, has the following molecular structure:

__** Barbi turates**__ __Structure:__ The molecular structure shown above is that of a barbiturate acid. This structure is the basic structure of all barbiturates. Barbituate acid is not pharmacologically active but is a parent compound of barbiturate drugs.

[1] MSDS Glossary: http://www.utexas.edu/safety/ehs/msds/glossary/?page=d [2] http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/depressants [3] http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/depressants [4] http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-effects-of-depressants.htm [5] http://psychology.about.com/od/psychoactivedrugs/a/depressants.htm [6] IB Study Guides: Chemistry (Green Book) [7] http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/