PS268 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Chloral Hydrate, Meprobamate, Methaqualone
Document Summary
Main types of depressants: barbiturates: a chemical group of sedative-hypnotic, sedatives: drugs used to relax, calm or tranquilize, benzodiazepines: a chemical grouping of sedative-hypnotics, hypnotics: drugs used to induce sleep. All though a majority of people who took these medications did so without harm, barbituates were associated with overdoses: dangerous withdrawal symptoms for those taking high doses. Methaqualone: synthesized in india and was found to have sedative properties, used to be an otc drug until someone overdosed, was seen to have a aphrodisiac effect, psychological and physical dependence. Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic: do not have the same chemical structure as benzos but have similar results, ambien has been seen to induce sleep but had a short duration, so an extended duration pill was made. Inhaled to produce anaesthesia: produces a drunk-like feeling. Inhalant use is quite low: relaxes blood vessels. Poppers were used for sexual purposes (increase pleasure)
