Most Popular Psychoactive Drugs in 2019
What Are Psychoactive Drugs?
A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior.
Most Popular Psychoactive Drugs in 2019
Below are the most popular psychoactive drugs grouped under different categories;
What are Analgesics?
An analgesic or painkiller is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve analgesia, relief from pain. Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems. They are distinct from anesthetics, which temporarily affect, and in some instances completely eliminate, sensation.
Most Popular Analgesics
- Fentanyl
- OxyContin
- Demerol
- Hydrocodone
- Morphine
- Percocet
- Codeine
- Methadone
- Dilaudid
- Oxymorphone
What are Antidepressants?
Antidepressants are drugs used for the treatment of major depressive disorder and of other conditions, including some anxiety disorders, some chronic pain conditions, and to help manage some addictions.
Most Popular Antidepressants
- Prozac
- Celexa
- Zoloft
- Paxil
- Lexapro
What are Psychedelics?
Psychedelics are a class of drug whose primary action is to trigger psychedelic experiences via serotonin receptor agonism, causing thought and visual/auditory changes, and altered state of consciousness. Major psychedelic drugs include mescaline, LSD, psilocybin, and DMT.
Most Popular Psychedelics
- Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
- Amanita Muscaria
- Dextromethorphan (DXM)
- Mescaline
- Salvia Divinorum
- Psilocybin Mushrooms
- 2C-B (Nexus)
- LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
What are Depressants?
A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug 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.
Most Popular Depressants
- Phenobarbital
- Xanax
- Restoril
- Ativan
- Ambien
- Klonopin
- Valium
- Seconal Sodium Secobarbital
- Phenobarbital
- Nembutal
- Amytal Sodium
What are Barbiturates?
A barbiturate is a drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant, and can therefore produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to death. Barbiturates are effective as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants, but have physical and psychological addiction potential.
Most Popular Barbiturates
- Amytal Sodium Pulvule
- Phenobarbital
- Seconal Sodium Secobarbital
- Nembutal
What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, sometimes called “benzos”, are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring.
What are Hallucinogens?
A hallucinogen is a psychoactive agent which can cause hallucinations, perceptual anomalies, and other substantial subjective changes in thoughts, emotion, and consciousness. The common types of hallucinogens are psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects. Medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia.
Most Popular Opioids
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Hycodan)
- Morphine (MS Contin, Kadian)
- Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percoset)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Fentanyl (Duragesic)
What are Stimulants?
Stimulants is an overarching term that covers many drugs including those that increase activity of the central nervous system and the body, drugs that are pleasurable and invigorating, or drugs that have sympathomimetic effects.