7/23/2019 The Three Main Categories of Drugs

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The Three Main Categories of Drugs

Some drugs due to certain factors that change their characteristics, may cause

them to fall under dierent categories at dierent times. For example, even though

Cannabis is considered a depressant, in high enough doses it can also be a

hallucinogen.

 The three main categories were constructed based on similarities that certain drugs

share; however, there are many dierences that these drugs have also.

Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the brain and central nervous system, speeding

up communication between the two. They usually increase alertness and physical

activity. They include amphetamines, cocaine, crac and some inhalants lie amyl or

butyl nitrites. !our everyday coee is a stimulant that many people have formed an

addiction to. Those who stop drining coee even suer withdrawal symptoms.

Depressants

"epressants slow down the activity of the brain and nervous system, slowing down

the communication between the two. For medical purposes they can calm nerves,

relax muscles and useful for sleeping disorders such as insomnia.

Hallucinogens

#allucinogens interfere with the brain and central nervous system in a way that

results in radical distortions of a user$s perception of reality. %rofound images,

sounds and sensations will be experienced, but they will not actually exist. Theseare vivid hallucinations.