Amphetamines and Depressants Comparison – Key Differences Explained
While certain drugs can be used legally and treat the most severe symptoms of physical and mental illnesses, improper use of these drugs and substance abuse will seriously harm the health of the person. By understanding drug classifications, medical professionals are able to prescribe the right dosage and warn their patients about the potential consequences of illicit drug use – this is particularly relevant for stimulant drugs like amphetamines and sedatives like depressants.
In this guide, we will discover the differences between amphetamines and depressants through thorough amphetamines and depressants comparison, explore how they affect the body, and learn why their effects are considered opposites.
What Are Depressants?
Depressants are drugs that inhibit neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. They slow down the activity between brain neurons – after you take an antidepressant, you will experience drowsiness, intense relaxation, and relief from pain.
Since the messages between the brain and the body are no longer transmitted at the same speed, the individual on depressants will struggle with coordination and concentration – in particular, their reaction time will become slower. Make sure you avoid combining depressants a doctor prescribed you for a sleep disorder or anxiety with alcohol, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, and opioids – sedating effects are much stronger.
Depressant drug examples are as follows:
- Non-prescription drugs can have the same positive and negative effects as medication recommended by a medical professional – for instance, certain antihistamines whose main purpose is to cope with allergies will sedate a person in order to relieve their motion sickness or help them sleep.
- Prescription drugs a doctor advises their patient to take to cope with their anxiety, sleep disturbances, and panic attacks include Xanax, Ativan, and Valium.
- Alcohol is considered a depressant as well since it has a similar effect on the central nervous system of a person who drinks alcoholic beverages. Notify your doctor about potential drinking, whether you drink alcohol occasionally or struggle with alcohol use – there is a chance they will offer you to undergo addiction treatment alongside treatment of the medical condition you decided to discuss with them.
Effects of Depressants
Prolonged administration of depressants or failure to follow instructions given to you by your medical provider can lead to various adverse effects – here is a short list of issues you may deal with when there is no moderation in depressant use:
| Effect | Description |
Disorientation and Confusion | If you take a large dose of depressants or improperly use them, you may have to deal with low coordination, slowed breathing and heart rate, and confused thoughts. It is not uncommon for an individual who takes depressants to fall asleep suddenly while they are busy with an important task |
Chronic Tiredness | Constant fatigue, insomnia, depressive episodes, and panic attacks are frequent effects of depressant drugs – beware of these symptoms because they indicate the dependency on the depressant as well as a growing craving for it |
| Problems With Vision | Blurred vision is a common side effect depressant users experience. Some people have reported the symptoms of paranoia, which are possible if you were abusing depressants |
Overdoses | When a significant amount of depressants is taken, an overdose can be the worst consequence for an individual in question. Make sure you are familiar with the signs of overdose – excessive vomiting, unresponsive state despite being awake, and slowed down breathing – and contact emergency services right away |
What Are Amphetamines?
Amphetamines are powerful stimulants which means they will significantly speed up the human body. Here is where the stimulant and depressant differences lie, and this is evident by the names given to these substances – the function of the central nervous system is enhanced when the amphetamines are administered.
Amphetamine drug classification includes drugs like dextroamphetamine, which is legally produced and designed to treat narcolepsy, and methamphetamine, manufactured illegally and used to experience temporary euphoria. The effects of either type can be felt immediately – from a random burst of energy that makes you excited and restless to sweating and dilated pupils. If you administer illegal amphetamines, and especially if you share needles with other drug addicts, the consequences can be more severe – from vein damage to various infections including HIV.
Although in some cases, medical professionals will prescribe amphetamines to manage the symptoms of illnesses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), this drug is often manufactured and distributed illegally. Athletes may use amphetamines to boost their performance, while individuals addicted to drugs take amphetamines for recreation, which further affects their dependence on this stimulant.
Effects of Amphetamines
Both depressants and amphetamines effects vary based on the overall health of the individual taking these drugs, their age, and other medications this person may take of their own volition or following the advice of the doctor. Here are the most common side effects of amphetamine use you can expect:
| Effect | Description |
Lack of Sleep | Amphetamines and similar drugs will cause insomnia – you will not be able to fall asleep after spending several hours in bed or you will wake up very early feeling fatigued and agitated at the same time. This may be dangerous since there may be an impulsive desire to get access to other medications that will not necessarily make you feel better |
Cognitive Impairment | As a consequence of a previous side effect, a person who does not sleep well will exhibit a lack of concentration, memory issues, and an inability to make decisions when they are forced to do so |
Erratic Speech | It is easy to spot a person using amphetamines by how fast they talk – if their speech has no pauses, it is rapid, and it is impossible to discern what they are talking about, it may be the effect of central nervous system stimulants |
Mood Fluctuations and Disorders | Sudden changes in an individual’s emotional state can threaten their relationships with others. While mood swings can be a bother for someone else, anxiety and constant stress that come as a result of this emotional instability will be a big disadvantage for a person using amphetamines regularly |
Amphetamines and Depressants Comparison: What Is the Difference?
Amphetamines will increase your heart rate and accelerate your breathing – you will feel intense joy, energy, alertness, and performance no matter what task is at hand. Depressants, in contrast, will make you feel relaxed and sleepy as well as lower the awareness in your brain which makes them perfect for panic attacks and insomnia.
Remember that despite the disparity between depressants and amphetamines, both categories of drugs have a high potential for abuse and quick addiction. Whether you are not sure about the side effects you may have heard about before, you are planning to drink alcohol or take other medications while you are undergoing treatment based on amphetamines or depressants, or you were ever interested in taking these drugs for recreation, get medical advice first and avoid putting your health and life in danger.
FAQs
- Do doctors prescribe amphetamines?
In certain cases, the best treatment of medical conditions requires the prescription of stimulant drugs. As long as the health care provider is sure this is the best course of action, and the doses of a particular drug are meticulously calculated, the use of amphetamines is legal to help with narcolepsy, hyperactivity, and obesity.
- What are the side effects of amphetamines?
While amphetamines can make you feel euphoric, self-confident, sociable, energetic, and clear-minded, the harmful effects of amphetamine use will put your health and life at risk – from visible weight loss, increased heart rate, and memory loss you can easily go to tremors, seizures, tooth decay, and overdose.
- Can I take a depressant to minimize the side effects of amphetamines?
Do not experiment with addictive substances on your own – even if it seems like a smart idea, the opposite effects of stimulants and depressants will put your internal organs – kidneys, liver, and heart – in danger. Consult with a doctor if the amphetamines prescribed to you cause irritability, fatigue, or nausea.
- What are the depressant withdrawal symptoms?
It is easy to confuse the withdrawal symptoms you experience after no longer using depressants with typical signs of flu – the withdrawal will begin with body aches, headaches, sleep disturbances, and restlessness. However, soon after a person whose withdrawal is not given medical attention will feel a rapid heartbeat and a high blood pressure which may lead to hallucinations and seizures – this is why make sure you get professional help before coming off depressants.
- Can I drink alcohol while I take depressants?
If you drink while you are in the process of treatment with depressants, you will get drunk much quicker – the intoxication will increase the chances of experiencing nausea, sleeping troubles, and losing consciousness; moreover, it is not safe to drive in this condition as well as risk overdosing. It is essential to discuss with the doctor how frequently you plan to drink alcoholic beverages – it is likely they will advise you to stick to sobriety while you are undergoing treatment in order to avoid any issues arising from the combination of drugs and alcohol in your body.
