The effects of particular drugs depend on how they activate different neurotransmitter systems. While __________ increase behavior and mental activity, __________ decrease them.
Biology · High School · Mon Jan 18 2021
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Correct answer is stimulants and depressant .
The effects of particular drugs depend on how they activate different neurotransmitter systems. While stimulants increase behavior and mental activity, depressant decrease them.
Drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and process signals via neurotransmitters. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter in the body. This allows the drugs to attach onto and activate the neurons.
Most addictive drugs come in two general classes: stimulants and depressants. The most fundamental way in which these two types differ can be inferred by their names. Stimulants stimulate the central nervous system and depressants do the opposite, slowing it and all the parts of the body controlled by the central nervous system down.
Of course, there are many other differences between the two. Due to the prevalence of recreational drug use, it’s important to be familiar with the effects of each type of drug in order to be able to recognize the signs of abuse, addiction, and overdose. Both stimulants and depressants claim lives every year due to overdose and other health problems related to long-term abuse.