How do drugs affect the brain?

Encyclopedia of Opinion

Question: How do drugs affect the brain?
Position‹2 of 3›: Depressants slow brain and nervous system function

This position explains how depressant drugs affect the brain by slowing the nervous system. It argues depressants inhibit neural signals and reduce brain activity—covering substances such as alcohol, opioid painkillers, and sedative-hypnotics that relieve anxiety and promote sleep.

Supporting arguments · 4

Opioids are painkillers
Opioids activate opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces the neuronal signals for pain.
Sedative-hypnotic drugs relieve anxiety and promote sleep
Hypnotics and sedatives have calming effects, reducing irritability and agitation and encouraging rest.
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system
Alcoholic beverages are psychoactive due to the effects of ethanol on the brain and nervous system.
Cannabis causes euphoria and alters perception
One of the most popular recreational drugs, cannabis, affects the brain via cannabinoid compounds.