Classes of Drugs
...HD. Examples would be methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, and ephedrine. Psychedelics These drugs are compounds that induce hallucinations and profound changes in perception. It important to note that many drugs are capable of producing hallucinations given a sufficient dose; this doesn’t necessarily make them psychedelics. Psychedelics do not produce hallucinations as a symptom of toxicity where as the other drugs do. The psychedelics class contains probably more compounds than any other class and thus is often divided into subclasses based on their mechanism of action. For example the mechanism of action of d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is much different from the mechanism of action of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). LSD is considered to be a serotonergic hallucinogen, MDMA is a methylated amine, and ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic; yet all are considered to be psychedelics. Each acts on a specific system or set of neurotransmitters in the brain. The physical effects are similar to the stimulants; behaviorally the effects are much different. Behaviorally a change in perception of all senses is noted. Also deep religious and spiritual experiences may accompany psychedelic usage. Many people also report an increase in self-awareness and the enjoyment of smile pleasures. Physically most of these drugs have a low potential for dependence, with the exception of the dissociative anesthetics. Psychologically the psychedelics have a low potential for dependence. Of note is that the cannaboids are usually lumped into the psychedelic class, however there is a growing movement to classify them separately as there is evidence of cannaboid receptors in the brain suggesting that cannabis mimics a unique function of the brain. Clinically some of the psychedelics have been tested as an adjunct to psychotherapy but due to the controversial nature of these compounds this research has been largely prohibited in the United States for the past 30 years. Some sample hallucinogens would be LDS, 2-CB, MDMA, ketamine, PCP, 2-C-T-7, mescaline, DMT, psilocybin, and AMT. Depressants There is a growing movement to move away from the term depressants. For those who have done their research this term is overly generalized. Yes, it’s a controversial argument but there is evidence to support this distinction. Ideally this class would be further divided into sedative-hypnotics and alcohol. In all of these classifications we are assuming that classification is being done mainly on mechanism of action and not subjective effects. Twenty years ago the technology did not exist to determine the mechanism of action of many of these drugs so thus many of these compounds were classified by their subjective and physiological effects hence the term depressants. But I digress. Depressants depress the central nervous system. They are used as anti-anxiety medications, as anti-epileptic medications, sleep aids and as muscle relaxants. Drugs in this category dull behavior, suppress excitement and induce calmness. Most drugs in this class have a high potential for abuse, are both highly physically and psychologically addictive and are quite fatal at higher doses. Most of these drugs produce their effects by ...