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What are central nervous system (CNS) depressants?

April 26, 2017behavioral health CNS DEPRESSANTS EAP employee assistance health and wellness nervous system wellness

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What are central nervous system (CNS) depressants?

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CNS depressants are substances that can slow normal brain function. Because of this property, some CNS depressants are useful in the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders. Among the medications that are commonly prescribed for these purposes are the following: • Barbiturates, such as mephobarbital (Mebaral®) and pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal®), which are used to treat anxiety, tension, and sleep disorders. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium®), chlordiazepoxide HCl (Librium®), and alprazolam (Xanax®), which can be prescribed to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks; the more sedating benzodiazepines, such as triazolam (Halcion®) and estazolam (ProSom®) can be prescribed for short-term treatment of sleep disorders. • Usually, benzodiazepines are not prescribed for long-term use. How do CNS depressants affect the brain and body? There are numerous CNS depressants; most act on the brain by affecting the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Neurotra