AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Depressants are drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions. They include: Alcohol. Barbiturates.

Detailed explanation-2: -Barbiturates belong to the sedative-hypnotic class of medications. Sedatives are medications that help you calm down and relax. Hypnotics make you drowsy (their name comes from the word “hypnos, ” which means “sleep” in Greek).

Detailed explanation-3: -Barbiturates are depressants that produce a wide spectrum of central nervous system depression from mild sedation to coma. They also have been used as sedatives, hypnotics, anesthetics, and anticonvulsants.

Detailed explanation-4: -GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. Barbiturates enhance GABA-mediated chloride currents by binding to the GABA-A receptor–ionophore complex and increasing the duration of ionophore opening. At high doses, barbiturates stimulate GABA-A receptors directly in the absence of GABA.