Psychoactive substances: what are they and how are they classified?

Psychoactive substances are chemical substances (drugs or psychoactive drugs) of natural or synthetic origin that affect the functions of the central nervous system. (CNS), that is, the brain and spinal cord. Among its effects, we can find the inhibition of pain, the change in mood, the alteration of perception, etc.

Although drugs are associated with therapeutic and medicinal use, drugs are often considered for recreational use. The latter are usually associated with young people, but in reality they are consumed by people of very different profiles and of different ages.

Psychoactive substances are very versatile and have a wide repertoire of effects. It should be noted that some psychoactive substances are considered drugs and psychoactive drugs. An example is Xyrem, which as a medical use can be used to treat narcolepsy, but in leisure circuits it is called liquid ecstasy or GHB.

You can learn more about this substance in our article: "GHB: the drug used by rapists to neutralize their victims"

Psychoactive substances: its beginnings

Psychoactive substances have not only been used by modern man, but have been consumed for thousands of years. In fact, there are discoveries that indicate that they have been consumed since 3000 BC. c. The data suggests that opiates were already being taken at that time. Later, it is known that the Aztecs used peyote and some shamans used hallucinogenic substances.

How psychoactive substances are classified

In the following lines we have made a classification of psychoactive substances, differentiating psychoactive drugs from drugs.

Types of psychotropic drugs

There is a wide variety of psychoactive drugs and, therefore, they can be classified in different ways. None of the categories that are presented below are better than the rest, but we have taken into account the functionality or usefulness of each group of psychoactive drugs.

1. Neuroleptics and antipsychotics

They are psychoactive drugs that are used to treat psychotic crises. Some of these drugs have powerful side effects, and are often used by, for example, patients with schizophrenia or paranoid disorder. Among the best known are haloperidol or olanzapine.

2. Anxiolytics and Hypnotic-sedatives

Anxiety disorders are one of the most frequent reasons for psychological consultation, which is why these psychoactive drugs are also one of the most used. Some of these drugs, which are included in this classification, are used as sedatives, to facilitate sleep. We can highlight diazepam (valium) or tranquimazin.

3. antidepressants

They are the psychoactive drugs used to treat depression, and they usually increase the presence of serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain thanks to different actions. For example, by inhibiting reuptake enzymes. Among others, fluoxetine (or prozac) or sertraline stand out.

4. Mood Stabilizers/Eutimizers

This type of psychotropic drugs are psychoactive substances that are used in the case in which a patient suffers from bipolar disorder, in this way, it is possible to stabilize the mood and maintain it stable. We can highlight lithium salts or carbamazepine.

• You can delve into these classifications in our article: "Types of psychoactive drugs: uses and side effects"

Types of drugs

Drugs also have different effects and can be classified in various ways. They are the following.

According to its legality

According to their legality, drugs can be classified as:

• Legal drugs: are those that are allowed by the law of a country. These laws may change from country to country. In Spain, alcohol or tobacco are legal drugs.
• Illegal drugs: are those whose consumption is not allowed in a country. In Spain, for example, we can talk about cocaine or ecstasy. Drug traffickers are in charge of marketing this type of substance, one of the best known was Pablo Escobar. You can read his biography in our article: "Biography and personality of Pablo Escobar, the irreducible narco"

Depending on how they are consumed

Drugs can be consumed in different ways. But what are they?

• Smoked: tobacco, hashish or "crack" are some examples.
• Oral route: ecstasy, alcohol, LSD
• Inspired: speed, cocaine streaks.
• Inhaled: glue, popper.
• Injected: heroin

According to its effect on the central nervous system (CNS)

According to their effects, drugs can be classified in the following ways:

• nervous system depressants: They produce an inhibitory effect on some functions of the central nervous system. Alcohol, hypnotics (sleeping pills or barbiturates), anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines, opiates (heroin, morphine, methadone, etc.) or tranquilizers belong to this group.
• Nervous system stimulants: They produce an opposite effect to the previous ones and are exciting drugs, which cause a sensation of energy and stimulation of the state of vigilance. Amphetamines, nicotine, cocaine or caffeine belong to this group. Psychedelic or disturbing substances: These are substances that cause hallucinations and exaggerated changes in perception. The best known are: LSD, mescaline, ketamine and MDMA

Drug use is widespread today, and the variety of these is very remarkable. Some of these drugs are natural, produced by nature itself. Others, the synthetic ones, follow a series of chemical processes for their creation. The immediacy of its effects has to do with the speed with which the active ingredient passes into the blood. Generally, injectable drugs are the ones that cause the fastest effects, and also the most addictive.

• If you want more information about drugs, you can read our article: "Types of drugs: know their characteristics and effects"