Depressants are a category of drugs that depress the nervous system and make the user less active.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a legal depressant for people over the age of 21. It suppresses the activity of the mind and body of those who consume it.
Barbituates
Barbituates are a prescribed medication for anxiety and insomnia. Some examples include Phenobarbital, Nembutal and Amytal. Barbituates are known as sedative-hypnotics.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a prescribed medication for anxiety and for their tranquilizing effect. Examples include Valium, Atavan and Xanax.
Gamma Hydroxybutyrate
GHB is a depressant associated with sexual assault. It is odorless and tasteless and consumers of this drug often do so unknowlngly.
Marijuana and Inhalants
Marijuana is a depressant as well as a minor hallucinogen. Some inhalants are also depressants.
Slang terms
Slang terms for depressants include booze, downers, forget-me-pills, roofies and yellow jackets.
References
Writer Bio
Talia E. Sukol graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Toronto in 2008. She has been published in "Tikkun Magazine" and "Conception Magazine." She currently writes for the Progressive Arts Alliance of Cleveland.