9781422273869

Stress can sometimes lead people to abuse stimulants.

Another problem is that the “rush” that makes the drugs pleasurable also makes them wildly addictive. The body quickly develops a tolerance to stimulants, which means it takes more of the drug to get the same effect. It’s not long before users find themselves chasing (but failing to achieve) that initial rush that was so attractive. As the dosage goes up, so does the potential for danger. Depressants Examples: alcohol, benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax), GHB, sleep medications (e.g., Ambien) Depressants have the opposite effect from stimulants: they slow the body down. Blood pressure drops and breathing slows. In medical settings, depressants are used to reduce anxiety, aid sleep, and control seizures. With the right dosage, depressants

This Is Your Brain (and the Rest of You) on Drugs

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