(OVERVIEW)
In recent years Barbiturates and Tranquilizers have become very popular as Doctors destigmatize the drugs. Barbiturates and Tranquilizers are typically used as depressants to treat patients who have problems with anxiety or insomnia. Depressants are drugs that lower neurotransmission levels and effect the central nervous system , which depresses arousal and certain stimulations to the brain.
Some common names for barbiturates are Seconal, reds due to color of Seconal, and sleeping pills. Some common names for tranquilizers are downers, benzos meaning benzodiazepine, and valium. Not only are these items used by humans but humans also give them to animals in order to tame. Luckily the drugs are mainly used on animals in urgent situations.

               Seconals                                               Benzodiazepines

                                                  Credits to: Katelyn Gonzales





                                      (CLASSIFICATIONS & SCHEDULES)
Barbiturates and Tranquilizers are schedule 4 as they have a low risk of addiction and have a negative reinforcement effect as the behavior of being calm or tranquil is being reinforced but by only taking away the opportunity of alertness and hyper-activeness.

Barbiturates are classified as sedative-hypnotics as they calm the body and sometimes alter consciousness to achieve this effect. Barbiturates are more susceptible to addiction  and have major effects from withdrawal. Incidents such as seizures, anxiety, and even heart failure have been reported.The drug may also cause fetal abnormalities in some women preventing them from having children.

Tranquilizers are actually categorized into two groups labeled as major or minor tranquilizers. Major tranquilizers or antipsychotics generally help cure mental illness such as insomnia. Minor tranquilizers decrease stressors such as anxiety and induce more sleep. Fortunately, tranquilizers are neuroleptics and are mainly used to calm nerves and are not susceptible to abuse. Tranquilizers must be used responsibly as according to National Institution of Drug Abuse drugs related to tranquilizers are 1/3 of all drug related deaths in the world.





                                               (METHODS OF USE)
Barbiturates are typically powdered and ingested in pill form and can be possessed through prescription from a doctor. Barbiturates can also be injected but may have dangerous effects on the body. They provide relief for insomnia, anxiety, and tension. There is a very high risk of overdose as the lethal dose is nearly a mirror to the normal dose. Since the user is under the influence they may even overdose without knowing.

Tranquilizers can be ingested through pills. Most illegal users may ingest the drug through manual injection with a needle. People who care for animals or own animals may also use a tranquilizer gun or simply inject the drug into the animal.

This picture displays how GABA and Benzodiazepines
react when they're in the body together. It is clear why GABA
is released so much as the drug sits right next to it triggering the
release of them into the body.

 (EFFECTS ON CONSCIOUSNESS)
Both barbiturates and tranquilizers alter consciousness and alertness as they are considered psychoactive drugs. Barbiturates and Tranquilizers release more  gamma-aminobutryic acid otherwise known as (GABA). GABA inhibits neurotransmission which calms the body and causes the drowsy, hypnotic feeling. The drugs decrease the release of Acetylcholine, which helps increase neurotransmission. The drugs cause major drowsiness, some cases can cause depression and the effects can last anywhere between 3 to 8 hours. Some cases have been reported where people don't remember what happened just moments before. The drug should always be used responsibly as misuse can lead to death almost instantly. Just taking a little more than prescribed causes a person to feel very dizzy and can easily lead to overdose. The drug can also cause thinking abnormalities in some people.







                                              (LAWS CONCERNING THE DRUGS)

The legal status of these drugs are quite predictable. The drugs cannot be purchased without a prescription due to the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 which strongly promotes Prescription Only Medicine(POM) drugs. The Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 basically places laws on certain drugs to prevent any damage to the user  and to keep new drug substances under control. Since there is still some illegal actions pertaining to the drug, laws are now becoming stricter although the specifics aren't necessarily revealed to the public as of yet.



                                                               (SOURCES)
http://www.watton.org/drugsinfo/aboutbarbs.shtml

http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/beginning-psychology/s09-02-altering-consciousness-with-ps.html

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/substance-abuse/stop-pill-abuse/drug-facts/sedatives-and-tranquilizers.html

https://erowid.org/chemicals/barbiturates/barbiturates_info2.shtml