by Keith A. Trujillo, Ph.D. and Andrea B. Chinn
Last Revised 10/2/96
Antidepressants |
Used to treat major depression. | Desipramine Fluoxetine Sertraline |
Antipsychotics |
Also called major tranquilizers or neuroleptics. A group of drugs used primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia. | Chlorpromazine Haloperidol |
Antimanics |
Used to treat bipolar disorder (also known as manic depressive disorder). | Lithium Carbamazepine |
Sedative-Hypnotics |
These drugs depress behavior, moderate excitement, and induce calmness. They are used clinically as muscle relaxants, antiepileptics, preanesthetic medication, and antianxiety drugs. | Secobarbital Diazepam |
Psychostimulants | A class of drugs that increase arousal, induce wakefulness and stimulate behavior. | Ampthetamine Cocaine |
Psychedelics |
A class of drugs that produce profound changes in perception. | LSD Psilocybin |
Opiates |
Because of their ability to profoundly suppress pain responsiveness, these drugs are used clinically as analgesics. They are also widely used outside the clinic for their reinforcing properties. | Heroin Morphine |
Cannabinoids |
The most notable cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive substance in marijuana. | Marijuana |
Ethanol | Ethanol is the alcohol in beer, wine and hard liquor, and is one of the most popular psychoactive drugs. | Beer Wine Liquor |
Nicotine |
Nicotine, a mild stimulant, is the psychoactive substance in the leaves of the tobacco plant. | Tobacco |
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Keith A. Trujillo, Ph.D.
Andrea B. Chinn
Comments to author: keith@mailhost1.csusm.edu
All contents copyright (C) 1996, Keith A. Trujillo, Ph.D. All rights reserved.