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Types of Drug Classifications

By Brianna Kerr

Classifying drugs by their effect on the body (CNS)

Overview

One of the most common and useful ways of classifying a drug is by the effect that it has on a person's central nervous system. The brain is the major part of the central nervous system, and this is where psycho-active drugs have their main effect.

The major classifications of drugs including stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens. Some drugs can be classified in a number of categories, e.g. cannabis and ecstasy.

The group 'others' includes those psycho-active drugs that do not fit neatly in any other category.

Stimulants

Speed up the activity of a person's central nervous system (CNS) including the brain.

These drugs often result in the user feeling more alert and more energetic.

Examples:

  • Amphetamines
  • Cocaine
  • Pseudoephidrine (found in medications such as Sudafed, Codral Cold and Flu)
  • Nicotine
  • Caffeine

Depressants

Depressant

Slow down the activity of the CNS, which often results in the user feeling less pain, more relaxed and sleepy.

Examples:

  • Alcohol
  • Major tranquillisers
  • Benzodiazepines (Valium, Temazepam)
  • Opioids (heroin, morphine)
  • Volatile substances (can also be classified as 'other' (glue, petrol, and paint).

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogenic

Alter a user's sensory perceptions by distorting the messages carried in the CNS. A common example is LSD (trips).

Hallucinogens alter one's perceptions and states of consciousness.

Examples:

  • LSD
  • Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
  • Mescaline (peyote cactus)

Others

Psycho-active drugs that do not fit neatly into one of the other categories, but which are clearly psycho-active, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers.

Examples:

  • MDMA (ecstasy)
  • Cannabis
  • Volatile substances (petrol, glue, paint)

Others

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