Barbiturates and the Central Nervous System

Barbiturates are depressants or downers which slows down the body`s systems. They come in brightly colored pills. Barbiturates are used for medicinal purposes like anesthesia, and insomnia. Tolerance and Addiction become very quickly when on these for more than 2 weeks. Overdose and death are very high risks for users. Effects of barbiturates include intense mood swings, babbling and slurred speech, and lack or judgement. Blood pressure can drop so low that a cardiovascular collapse can occur. The can only be given by a doctors prescription. When people become addicted to these drugs they tend to lie to their doctor to get more.  The nervous system is at risk when Barbiturates cross the brain`s protective layer. The brain has a blood brain barrier, which a fatty layer that surrounds the brain preventing foreign substances in the bloodstream from entering the brain and causing malfunction. Large molecules do not pass easily through the BBB, neither do molecules that are not easily dissolved in fat. The first reaction after a person has ingested barbiturates is less inhibitions. These are emotions that tell you to restrict your behavior. The body is totally relaxed. This messes your body up and can no longer let your CNS control the body's actions. The body tries to reject these substances by vomiting. If a user is lying on their back and too sedated to get up, they could choke to do on vomit.  Taking these with other depressants such as alcohol or heroin can increase the side effects by a lot.  The with drawl process can kill a person if they are not under close doctor observation. After an abuser survives withdrawal and detoxification, they will still need help such as talking to a psychiatrist.