Depressant Effect On The Central Nervous System example essay topic

Narcotics: Narcotics decrease the sensitivity to the sensory stimuli because it has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. Opium, morphine, codeine, heroin, meperidine, and methadone are types of narcotics. Natural and synthetic opiates are considered medically valuable because they are effective pain relievers. A reduction of physical activity and drowsiness are the effects of opiates. Once consuming opiate you might feel such uncomfortable feelings as nausea, vomiting and itching. Too much use of opiate leads to dependency, both physical and psychological.

Sedatives: Sedatives have a depressant effect on the central nervous system and is used to treat epilepsy, high blood pressure, mental disorders and insomnia. Overdoses can easily come by and fatal withdrawal can also follow. Emotions become unpredictable, slurred speech becomes apparent. Sedatives are another example of fatal withdrawal and dependency. Withdrawal can cause a convulsion because it was related with it. Alcohol: Ethyl alcohol is the most widely used drug and is labeled as a depressant of the central nervous system.

The reason why it is so known and its effects are also well known is because drinking alcohol is socially acceptable. Such effects are mild euphoria and a decrease of inhibitions. Alcohol can also cause a depressed feeling, decreased activity and / or sleep. The control centers in the brain become depressed and drunkenness occurs once the depressed inhibitions in the cerebrum. Once the cerebrum has released, impairment of thought, organization and motor activity follows. Alcohol has a major physiological effect of the depression of synaptic transmission.

Tranquilizers: Tranquilizers decrease tension and anxiety with outproducing sleep, or significantly impairing mental and physical function. Although categorized as a drug, tranquilizers are used to treat severe mental disorders. Unlike other drugs, tranquilizers do not produce a physical dependence. Tranquilizers a reused to treat anxiety, tension and muscle spasms. Stimulants: Caffeine, amphetamines and cocaine are examples of stimulants, which directly stimulate the central nervous system. Stimulants can be used to treat obesity because of the anti-appetite effect of the amphetamines.

A temporary rise in blood pressure, palpitations, dry mouth, sweating, headache, diarrhea and dilation are all effects of amphetamines. Abuse is not uncommon because amphetamines produce a good mood, more alertness and less fatigue. Doctors seem to agree that the amphetamines do not create a physical dependence, but mental depression and fatigue will follow the withdrawal. Psychological dependence appears more often then physical. Talkativeness, restlessness, sleeplessness, excessive perspiration, frequent urination and hand tremors are all evidence of heavy use of amphetamines. Cocaine is a strong stimulant and an overdose proves to be fatal.

Stimulation with cocaine is followed by a period of depression. No signs of physical dependence or tolerance is evident, but a powerful psychological servility is apparent. Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens cause distortions of reality and hallucination occurs. Such hallucinogens are mescaline, marijuana, and- acid (LSD). Having a sense of well being, dreamy sensations, senses of time, distance, vision and hearing lost, panic, fear, hallucinations, dizziness, dry mouth, dilated pupils, burning eyes, urinary frequency, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and a definite hunger for anything are all symptoms of marijuana. LSD generates changes in mood and behavior.

LSD causes dilated pupils, tremor, raised body temp. and hyperactive reflexes. Neither drug has a physical dependence but mild psychological dependence occurs.