top of page
Search

Central Nervous System Depressants

  • Writer: Kim May
    Kim May
  • Nov 3
  • 4 min read

Dose, never overdose

We have brains and bodies, but how well do we understand how they function? How do we know how to scratch our arm when it itches? Why does the smell of spoiled milk make us recoil? What happens when put drugs into our system? Why do some drugs feel so good and what are they doing inside of our bodies?


Almost everything that happens within us can be linked to our central nervous system.


There are a lot of substances that affect our central nervous system, but especially dangerous are depressants such as alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.




What is the central nervous system?

Our central nervous system (CNS) is one part of our nervous system, and it consists of our brain and our spinal cord. Our CNS responds to the information collected from our sensory nerves. The result is that our CNS basically controls us.


  • How we perceive our surroundings through our 5 senses

  • How we organize movement

  • Motivation and emotional states

  • How we organize our functions


The 3 most essential functions of the central nervous system


1.       Circulatory system (heart and blood vessels)

2.       Respiratory system (breathing)

3.       Reflex system (instantly responding to a threat, i.e., dodging a moving car)


What are central nervous system depressants?


A CNS depressant is a drug that slows down the central nervous system. Many CNS depressants work by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is a chemical that prevents or delays the delivery of messages between cells.


Examples of the most common CNS depressants are substances most of us have used at one time or another. They include alcohol, opioids, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. All these drugs cause some level of anxiety reduction, drowsiness and loss of coordination, even when taken in small quantities. In large quantities, or when combined, they can become lethal.


Central nervous system depressant overdose


Several things are occurring (or potentially occurring) during an overdose from CNS depressants. This could be an opioid overdose, alcohol poisoning, or very commonly several CNS depressants taken together.


Our heartrate is being slowed down, to the point where it may stop. Breathing slows or may stop. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, a person may develop hypoxia which can have both short term and long-term consequences or lead to death. Another function of the CNS that is relevant with overdose is the suppressed reflex system. Our reflexes, like our gag reflexes, may be suppressed. This may prevent vomiting or cause a person to choke on their vomit.


Signs and symptoms of a central nervous system overdose


  • Slowed or stopped breathing

  • Choking or gurgling sounds

  • Slow heart rate and pulse

  • Extreme drowsiness or sedation

  • Slurred speech

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Limp body

  • Pale, clammy, or cold skin

  • Blue lips or fingertips

  • Vomiting

 

How to help with a central nervous system overdose


If overdose is suspected, call 911 at once. Let them know what the person has taken (i.e., Xanax, heroin). If the person is vomiting, help them sit upright so they do not choke. If the person has taken opioids, administer Narcan if you have it available. In cases of benzodiazepine overdoses, Flumazenil can reverse the effects. If needed, provide rescue breathing or CPR. Never leave an unconscious person alone to sleep it off.


How to prevent a central nervous system overdose


  • If you are taking prescribed medication, do not take more than is prescribed and adhere to the dosing schedule.

  • If you are taking CNS depressants recreationally, do not take more than you need to get the desire effect. Use ‘slow and low’. 

  • Never combine CNS depressants as they can have a synergistic effect (the interaction of two or more drugs when their combined effect is greater than the sum of the effects seen when each drug is given alone). Any combination of opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates and many types of sleeping medications are much more dangerous when taken together.

  • Avoid using alone.

  • Keep Narcan around if you use opioids.

 

 Support if you need it.

If you are questioning your relationship with drugs or alcohol and you want support, reach out. Whether you want to reduce risk of harm, work toward lessening your use, or want to move to abstinence, Substance Use Therapy is here. Whatever you are facing, you don’t have to face it alone. No judgment, just support.


Sources:

 

About the Author:


Substance Use Therapy

Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT is a therapist at Substance Use Therapy in Austin, TX. Kimberly works with individuals, couples and families whose lives have been affected by substance use. By using a harm reduction framework, Kimberly works effectively with people in any stage of use. In addition to substance use, she works with other issues such as anger, burn-out, anxiety and grief. Contact today to schedule a no-charge, 30 minute, in-person consultation.

Comments

bottom of page