Psychoactive effects sedation

The psychoactive effects of Ascora calamus in humans are not well documented, but there is limited evidence that the plant is used as an ingredient in intoxicating Indian ritual snuffs (de Smet, 1985), and the crude plant potentiates barbiturate and ethanol-induced sedation in mice (Anonymous, 1996). Cis-isoasarone is thought to be the component of calamus responsible for these sedative properties. 

According to NIDA (2006b) the psychoactive effects of depressants such as benzodiazepines include reduced anxiety, feeling of well-being, lowered inhibitions, slowed pulse and breathing, lowered blood pressure, poor concentration, and fatigue. In the case of barbiturates they include sedation, drowsiness, depression, unusual excitement, and irritability. Benzodiazepines produce sedation, and drowsiness, or dizziness. GHB produces drowsiness, nausea or vomiting, and headache. Methaqualone can produce euphoria and depression, poor reflexes, and slurred speech. 

The drug of choice for most Americans is caffeine. In fact, caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world. Many of caffeine s effects are believed to occur because of competitive antagonism at adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a neuromodulator that influences a number of functions in the CNS. The mild sedating... 

BDZs are the most widely prescribed class of psychoactive drugs in current therapeutic use, despite the important unwanted side-effects that they produce such as sedation, myorelaxation, ataxia, amnesia, ethanol and barbiturate potentiation, and tolerance. The existence of a new family of ligands with a flavonoid structure was recentlv demonstrated in the... 

Droperidol is used as an adjunct for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia and as an anesthetic in diagnostic procedures. Droperidol, which has antiemetic properties, causes marked sedation and potentiates the CNS depressant effects of alcohol, hypnotic-sedatives, and numerous psychoactive agents. Droperidol is absorbed well through an IM injection—sedation begins in 3 minutes, peaks at 30 minutes, and lasts for 2 to 4 hours. Droperidol is metabolized by the liver to p-fluoro-phenylacetic acid and p-hydroxypiperidine, and its metabolites are excreted in urine and feces. 

Caffeine Caffeine, a mild stimulant, is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world. It is present in soft drinks, coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, and numerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs. It mildly increases NE and DA release and enhances neural activity in numerous brain areas. Caffeine is absorbed from the digestive tract and is distributed rapidly throughout all tissues and easily crosses the placental barrier see Chapter 27). Many of caffeine s effects are beheved to occur by means of competitive antagonism at adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a neuromodulator that influences a number of functions in the CNS see Chapters 12 and 27). The mild sedating effects that occur when adenosine activates particrrlar adenosine-receptor subtypes can be antagonized by caffeine. 

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