---

Tranquilizers act as depressants to the central nervous system and are used to calm, induce sleep, or decrease anxiety. This drug is injected or swallowed in a pill form. Tranquilizers depress the effectiveness of the central nervous system which in turn slows the body down.

information on the Date Rape Drug

There are two types of tranquilizers
Major tranquilizers:
These tranquilizers are known as "anti-psychotics", which are used for the treatment of mental illness.
Minor tranquilizers:
These tranquilizers decrease anxiety as well as induce sleep. They also act as a general anesthetic.

Common street names:
Barbiturate names: tuinal, seconal, nembutal, barbs, downers, blues, reds, sekkies, sleeping pills, sleepers, amytal, seonal, goof balls, christmas trees.
Tranquiliser names: valium, librium, ativan, tranx, downers, benzos, eggs, jellies, temazepam, mogadon.

How they are taken:
Most barbiturates come in powdered form and are sold in coloured capsules which are swallowed. they are also available as ampoules, suppositories or syrup. tranquillisers are as usually available in pill form, but are sometimes injected.

Effects:
Both barbiturates and tranquillisers have similar effects of calming, sleep induction and anxiety reduction. in small doses barbiturates help people to relax. Large doses produce a drunken effect - slurred speech, clumsiness and unconsciousness; In small doses tranquillisers can relieve anxiety, but higher doses can cause drowsiness and make people lethargic. There is a high risk of accidents when driving or operating machinery.Tranquilizers disrupt the psycho-motor, intellectual, and perceptual functions. This drug accumulates in the body tissue after prolonged use.

The risks barbiturates:
Barbiturates have many risks, dependence can develop and sudden withdrawal from high doses can result in death. effects of withdrawal are irritability, nervousness, delirium, sleeplessness, fainting, sickness, twitching and even fits. Overdose is an easy mistake caused by just a few extra tablets as a normal dose is very close to a lethal dose.. very dangerous when mixed with alcohol.

The risks tranquillisers:
Tranquillisers also have many risks. alertness is reduced and driving is affected. Tranquillisers release aggression and can cause convulsions. takers quickly become dependant. When mixed with alcohol, may cause coma and death, overdose is a very real threat. Tolerance can develop quickly so larger doses are needed to get the same effects. Withdrawal from regular use can lead to anxiety, nausea and confusion.

Immediate effects:(appear rapidly and may last from hours to days)
reduce emotional reactions	reduce mental alertness	reduce attention span	produce a sense of relaxation and well-being
produce a"floating" sensation	slowing of heartbeat	shallow breathing	induce long periods of sleep
reduce feelings of anxiety	cause drowsiness	cause mental confusion	cause physical unsteadiness
Long term effects:
increased aggressiveness	physical dependence	withdrawal reactions	increased tolerance
severe depression	tolerance and dependence
Side effects:
skin rashes	nausea	dizziness
increases in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature	heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory failure	hepatitis or AIDS through shared needles	brain seizures
Tranquilizers and Pregnancy: (congenital defects such as)
cleft lip	cleft palate
Withdrawl symptoms can include:
tremors	irritability	disturbed sleep	sweating
stomach aches	agitation

---

For information about other drugs, return to Drug Information Page.