Types of Psychoactive Drugs
The drugs that affect your brain fall into several major categories, each with distinct effects on your consciousness. Depressants slow down your body's functions, making you feel relaxed or drowsy. Common examples include benzodiazepines (like Xanax), barbiturates, and alcohol - all of which can reduce anxiety but may lead to impaired judgment.
On the opposite end, stimulants speed up your bodily functions, making you feel alert and energetic. These include caffeine (that morning coffee!), nicotine, cocaine, and prescription drugs like Adderall. While they provide temporary energy boosts, the crash afterward can be rough.
Opioids include both natural substances (like morphine and codeine) and synthetic versions (like oxycodone and fentanyl). These powerful pain relievers activate the same pleasure receptors as your body's natural endorphins, but with much greater intensity - explaining why they can be highly addictive.
Did You Know? Hallucinogens like LSD, MDMA, and cannabis alter your perception, causing you to experience things that aren't actually there. Unlike other drug types, they primarily change how you perceive reality rather than simply speeding things up or slowing them down.