A urine sample would need to be analyzed within a day of the suspected administration for there to be any chance of getting a positive result. GHB is both an endogenous neurochemical as well as an exogenous chemical compound. GHB was first studied in-depth in the 1960s for its potential use in treating narcolepsy and alcoholism. GHB is an example of a drug that is listed in both Schedules I and III, depending upon the intent of use. A precursor to GHB, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), has also been classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.
Because of its significance and certain unique properties, the entirety of the next chapter is devoted to covering it. Aside from alcohol, we will also find sedatives and hypnotics in this category. Sedatives calm anxiety and agitation, while hypnotics induce sleep.
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. Several substances what is cns depressant can depress the CNS, ranging from anti-anxiety and sleep medications to so-called recreational drugs, such as heroin.
Doctor’s response
That kicks off a wave of neural reconnections over time that restore healthier cognitive processing and mood regulation. When it comes to mental health, small actions can have a big impact. A simple conversation, a kind gesture, or even a piece of clothing can spark meaningful change. Whether you’ve seen someone sporting a “mental health matters hoodie” or wondered about its…
TMS can be effective as a standalone treatment or in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication. For a growing number of patients, it can effectively “reset” the brain and relieve debilitating symptoms of depression that don’t respond to medication. Chronic misuse of CNS depressants can lead to physical dependence, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. CNS depressant medication enhances GABA activity, leading to reduced brain activity.
- Treatment for CNS depression or CNS depressant overdose depends on the substances involved.
- There is evidence that nitrous oxide is an NMDA receptor antagonist so its mechanism of action may differ from other inhalants.
- Another telling sign of abuse is mixing CNS depressants with other drugs, including opioids and alcohol, to increase their effects.
- An overdose of a CNS depressant can happen by accident, but people sometimes choose to take more of the drug than a doctor recommends to get a more “intense” effect.
- Benzodiazepines like diazepam and clonazepam are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks.
What causes CNS depression?
- If they stop using the drug, the original symptoms can return more severely than before.
- Barbiturates have mostly been replaced with benzodiazepines and Z-drugs for treatment of insomnia and anxiety because they have fewer issues with dependence and overdose.
- This may lead to severe adverse health reactions and possibly life-threatening consequences.
- GABAA receptors are comprised of five protein subunits surrounding the central chloride ion pore.
Unlike other psychoactive drugs, inhalants are most commonly used by children and adolescents. 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.
They’ll decide if you need to be taken off the medication, switched to another form of the medication, or if your dosage needs to be adjusted. In certain cases, CNS depression could also be caused by a stroke, brain trauma, an aneurysm, or a tumor. Some research shows that even conditions that don’t directly affect the brain, like diabetes or kidney and heart disease, could cause CNS depression.
What Is Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression?
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. In a life-threatening situation, a drug called naloxone can reverse the toxic effects of an opioid overdose. Mild CNS depression due to prescription medication is to be expected and isn’t necessarily a problem if sedation is desired.
To refresh, ligands that bind to these sites are called allosteric modulators. These change the functionality of the orthostatic site without competing for the same site. If someone’s heart stops beating, immediate CPR will be necessary to save their life. First responders will administer oxygen and begin monitoring the heart.
Not many people know what CNS Depression (or Central Nervous System Depression) is. In a world where mental health is increasingly recognized as essential to overall well-being, Central Nervous System (CNS) depression stands out as a critical area of concern. Ultimately in severe cases, CNS depression causes unconsciousness and coma. A common mode of nitrous oxide recreational use is inhalation or collection of the gas from cooking sprays and whipped cream canisters that use nitrous oxide as the propellant. The exact effects of inhalants also vary, but they typically follow four stages (see figure below).
It would be best to inform your doctor as soon as you experience any side effects that you find intolerable. Benzodiazepines, also known as Benzos, are also used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, although they are considered less addictive than barbiturates. Xanax, Valium, and Prosom are some of the most common types of Benzodiazepines. Opioids are often misused and used recreationally, making them one of the leading causes of CNS depression.
Diagnosis of CNS Depression
GHB is an endogenous neurotransmitter that is synthesized in GABA neurons. There appears to be a dynamic relationship between GHB and GABA in that each is a precursor as well as a by-product of the other. There are two orthostatic or primary binding sites on the chloride channel which interact with molecules of GABA. There are additional multiple allosteric sites that bind ligands other than GABA. This name should be familiar to you since we covered them in Chapter 4.
Stage 1 is the excitatory stage, where the user experiences euphoria and agitation. This turns into Stage 2, early CNS depression, which is characterized by slurred speech and hallucinations. In Stage 3, medium CNS depression, the user experiences confusion, delirium, and impaired muscle coordination (ataxia).
Other Factors That Affect CNS Depression
Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics. Sometimes these effects can be mild, but they can also be severe and potentially dangerous. Patients with a history of seizures are not eligible due to the small risk of medical complications involving seizure exacerbation. This does not apply to common dental work such as fillings or braces. Stimulation depolarizes the neurons, resetting the brain circuits to process signals and information (internal and external) normally.
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. This category of CNS depressants includes non-benzodiazepine sleep aids, or “z-drugs,” such as Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta. These drugs are designed to specifically treat insomnia and other sleep disorders.