Crossword clues for depressant
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Depressant \De*press"ant\, n. (Med.) An agent or remedy which lowers the vital powers.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"sedative," 1876 as a noun, 1887 as an adjective; see depress + -ant.
Wiktionary
a. Acting as a depressant. n. 1 (context pharmacology English) A pharmacological substance which decreases neuronal or physiological activity. 2 (context mining English) An agent that inhibits the flotation of a mineral or minerals.
WordNet
adj. capable of depressing physiological or psychological activity or response by a chemical agent [ant: stimulative]
n. a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person [syn: sedative, sedative drug, downer]
Wikipedia
A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug that lowers neurotransmission levels, which is to depress or reduce arousal or stimulation, in various areas of the brain. Depressants are also occasionally referred to as "downers" as they lower the level of arousal when taken. Stimulants or "uppers" increase mental and/or physical function, hence the opposite drug class of depressants is stimulants, not antidepressants.
Depressants are widely used throughout the world as prescription medicines and as illicit substances. Alcohol is a very prominent depressant. Alcohol can be and is more likely to be a large problem between teenagers and young adults. When depressants are used, effects often include ataxia, anxiolysis, pain relief, sedation or somnolence, and cognitive/ memory impairment, as well as in some instances euphoria, dissociation, muscle relaxation, lowered blood pressure or heart rate, respiratory depression, and anticonvulsant effects, and even complete anesthesia or death at high doses.
Depressants exert their effects through a number of different pharmacological mechanisms, the most prominent of which include facilitation of GABA, and inhibition of glutamatergic or monoaminergic activity. Other examples are chemicals that modify the electrical signaling inside the body. The most prominent of these being bromides and channel blockers.
Usage examples of "depressant".
Not being in the bar would have been depressing, too, so we sat in the bar drinking our depressants, which was how I ordered drinks when we sat down.
Inside the shuttle's medical supply locker were several vials containing medicines: depressants, restoratives, and the cold sleep preservative formula alongside its antidote.
Inside the shuttle’s medical supply locker were several vials containing medicines: depressants, restoratives, and the cold sleep preservative formula alongside its antidote.
Digitonin, which is a cardiac depressant, containing none of the physiological action peculiar to Digitalis, and is identical with Saponin, the chief constituent of Senega root.
Butte affirms it is a depressant to the sensory nerve centres and is useful in neuralgia and pruritis.