DEPRESSANT

Depressant

A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug or endogenous compound 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 are the functional opposites of depressants.

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depressant

Noun

  1. A pharmacological substance which decreases neuronal or physiological activity.
    Alcohol acts first as a stimulant and then as a depressant.
  2. An agent that inhibits the flotation of a mineral or minerals.

Adjective

  1. Acting as a depressant.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: depressant
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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