Understanding What Are Other Names for Depressants?

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Depressants, among the most widely used substances globally, are known by many names depending on their type, potency, and context of use. These substances are medically prescribed for conditions such as anxiety and insomnia, but are also misused for their calming effects. Understanding the various names for depressants is crucial for both medical professionals and the general public to recognize their uses and dangers.

Quick Summary

Depressants are referred to by clinical names like central nervous system (CNS) depressants, sedatives, tranquilizers, and hypnotics, as well as by colloquial and street names such as "downers" and "benzos". The terminology varies based on the drug's class and intended effect, with many different drugs falling under this broad category.

Key Points

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants: This is the overarching medical term for drugs that slow down brain activity, often by increasing the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA.
Sedatives and Tranquilizers: These terms specify a depressant's primary purpose—sedatives calm or induce sleep, while tranquilizers reduce anxiety.
Hypnotics: This class of depressants is designed specifically to induce sleep, with common examples being Ambien® and Lunesta®.
Street and Slang Names: Informal terms like "downers" and "benzos" are used recreationally or illicitly, often referring to specific depressant types like barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
Risk of Combination: Mixing depressants, including alcohol, significantly increases the risk of dangerous side effects, such as respiratory depression and overdose.
Dependence and Withdrawal: Long-term use of depressants can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.

Depressants are a broad class of drugs that slow down the activity of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. Their effects can range from mild sedation to anesthesia, depending on the substance and dosage. This article explores the numerous names associated with these drugs, categorized by their medical and street terminology.

Medical Terminology for Depressants

In medical and pharmacological contexts, depressants are referred to by several scientific and clinical names that reflect their specific actions and uses.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants

This is the most accurate and encompassing medical term for this class of drugs. It directly describes their primary function: to decrease the electrical activity in the brain. Most CNS depressants work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which in turn produces a calming effect. Examples include:

Benzodiazepines: Such as Valium® (diazepam) and Xanax® (alprazolam).
Barbiturates: Including phenobarbital and secobarbital.
Non-benzodiazepine sleep medications: Often called "Z-drugs," like Ambien® (zolpidem) and Lunesta® (eszopiclone).
Ethanol: The type of alcohol found in beverages.

Sedatives, Tranquilizers, and Hypnotics

These terms describe the specific therapeutic effects of depressant drugs.

Sedatives: A type of depressant used to calm and soothe a person, reducing anxiety or agitation. In higher doses, many sedatives can also induce sleep.
Tranquilizers: A broad term that can be broken down into two subcategories:
- Minor Tranquilizers: Also known as anxiolytics, these drugs are primarily used to treat anxiety, such as benzodiazepines.
- Major Tranquilizers: Also called antipsychotics or neuroleptics, these are used to treat symptoms of mental illness, such as psychosis. Examples include Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Haldol.
Hypnotics: These are soporific drugs, or sleeping pills, specifically used to induce sleep or for short-term insomnia treatment. Many benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are classified as hypnotics.

Slang and Street Names

For non-medical and recreational use, depressants have a host of informal names that vary by region, drug type, and context. These names are often used in illicit drug trade and can sometimes lead to confusion about what substance is being discussed.

General Street Names for Depressants

These terms refer to depressant drugs as a whole or to their generalized effect.

Downers: A common term referring to the slowing or "down" effect on the central nervous system.
Nerve Pills: A slang term for tranquilizers or other depressants used to treat anxiety.
Sleepers: A general term for any drug used to induce sleep.

Slang for Specific Depressant Classes

Many street names are specific to certain classes of depressants, reflecting their brand name, color, or shape.

Benzos/Zannies: Street names for benzodiazepines like Xanax® and Klonopin®.
Barbs: A shorthand for barbiturates.
Reds/Yellows: Refer to barbiturates like secobarbital and nembutal, named for their pill colors.
Roofies: A well-known slang term for Rohypnol® (flunitrazepam), a powerful benzodiazepine notorious for its use as a date-rape drug.
GHB/Georgia Home Boy/Liquid X: These are street names for Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid.

Comparison of Depressant Types and Terminology

To illustrate the different names and characteristics of various depressant types, the table below provides a side-by-side comparison. It's important to recognize that while they share the property of slowing the CNS, their potencies, medical uses, and risks vary considerably.


Depressant Type	Medical Names	Common Examples (Brand/Generic)	Slang/Street Names	Primary Medical Use	Risk of Dependence/Overdose
Barbiturates	Sedatives, hypnotics	Secobarbital, Phenobarbital	Barbs, Reds, Yellow Jackets	Anxiety, insomnia, seizure disorders (less common now)	High (potential for fatal overdose)
Benzodiazepines	Anxiolytics, minor tranquilizers, hypnotics	Xanax® (alprazolam), Valium® (diazepam)	Benzos, Zannies, Downers	Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, muscle spasms	High (potentially lethal with alcohol)
Non-Benzodiazepine Sleep Meds (Z-Drugs)	Hypnotics	Ambien® (zolpidem), Lunesta® (eszopiclone)	A- or Zombie Pills	Short-term treatment for insomnia	Moderate (dependence possible)
Opioids	Narcotic analgesics, sedatives	Morphine, Codeine, Fentanyl	Smack, Dope, Oxy, M	Moderate to severe pain relief	Very High (severe addiction potential)
Alcohol	Ethanol, CNS depressant	N/A	Juice, Hooch, Sauce	N/A	High (potential for dependence, liver damage)

The Mechanism of Action

All CNS depressants, regardless of their specific classification or common name, work by affecting the central nervous system. The most common mechanism involves enhancing the effect of GABA, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. This increase in GABA activity suppresses neural firing, leading to reduced brain activity. This is what produces the calming, drowsy, and muscle-relaxant effects associated with these drugs. Different classes of depressants affect GABA receptors in unique ways, but the end result is a decrease in overall brain function. This action can be beneficial for medical purposes, but it can also be dangerous, especially when combined with other depressants like alcohol.

The Dangers of Misuse

Misusing depressants, whether taking them without a prescription, using higher doses than recommended, or combining them with other substances, carries significant risks. Combining depressants, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, can multiply their effects and lead to a dangerous level of CNS depression, causing severely slowed breathing, coma, or death. The development of tolerance is another major risk, as prolonged use can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Abruptly stopping depressant use can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including seizures and extreme agitation. Due to these risks, responsible use under medical supervision is critical. For further information on misuse and substance abuse, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides resources and guidance.

Conclusion: The Importance of Accurate Terminology

Depressants are a diverse group of drugs known by many names, ranging from official pharmacological terms like CNS depressants, sedatives, and hypnotics to a wide array of street names like downers and benzos. This variety of terminology reflects their different medical uses, potencies, and contexts of misuse. Knowing the distinctions between these names is essential for healthcare providers, patients, and the public. This knowledge helps ensure responsible and informed conversations about drug safety, highlights the risks associated with misuse, and underscores the critical need for medical supervision when these powerful medications are used.

Frequently Asked Questions

The official medical term is "central nervous system (CNS) depressants". This broad category includes drugs that slow down brain activity, causing calming or sedating effects.

Sedatives and tranquilizers are types of depressants. Sedatives are primarily used to calm a person, while tranquilizers are used to reduce anxiety. Both function by depressing the central nervous system.

Common street names include "downers," "nerve pills," and "sleepers". Specific terms like "benzos" refer to benzodiazepines, and "roofies" is a slang term for Rohypnol.

Alcohol, or ethanol, is a widely used depressant because it slows down the central nervous system. It decreases a person's inhibitions, impairs judgment, and can lead to drowsiness.

The main danger is the multiplying effect on the CNS, which can lead to severely slowed breathing, respiratory failure, coma, and death. This is particularly risky when combining depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Yes, some over-the-counter (OTC) medications can have depressant effects. Certain sleep aids and cold medicines contain antihistamines that produce drowsiness.

Z-drugs, like Ambien® and Lunesta®, are non-benzodiazepine hypnotics used for insomnia. They act on the same GABA receptors but have a different chemical structure, and are thought to have a lower risk of dependence than older depressants.