All Infoplease All Almanacs General Entertainment Sports Biographies Dictionary Encyclopedia . . A fundraising program that gives a percentage of every purchase to your school. Encyclopedia depressant depressant, any one of various substances that diminish functional activity, usually by depressing the nervous system . Barbiturates , sedatives , alcohol, and meprobamate are all depressants.
Depressants have various modes of action and effects.
Depressants also reduce the rate and force of contraction of the heart and are used in the treatment of some forms of heart disease . Typically, overdosage results in confusion, coma, and convulsions. In many cases, the effects of one depressant are intensified if another depressant is taken at the same time, e.g., if barbiturates are taken with alcohol. Because of their potential for abuse, there are now strict regulations regarding the dispensing of many depressant drugs. Licensed from Columbia University Press.