Depressant

Depressants are a group of drugs that depress or slow down the activity of certain areas of the brain.  Functionally, depressants counter the effects of stimulants, which increase brain activity. Drugs of the depressant type are widely used around the world, as prescription drugs.  They can help with the following:
 Reduce feelings of anxiety or panic
 Reduce insomnia and other sleeping-problems, and help people sleep better
 As analgetics they reduce pain and fever
 To reduce convulsions and seizures, especially in the case of epilepsy
 Relax muscles, for those with muscle spasms  
 To boost the mood, and cause euphoria
 To reduce anxiety, that is help people who feel unwell in certain situations    
 To just calm down if needed
 In addition, they are used (often as illegal drugs)

Big groups
Among the big groups of depressants are:
Alcohol
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Opioids
Antipsychotics
Dissociatives

Category:Psychoactive drugs