Depressant

What is Depressant?

A substance that slows the activity of the nervous system. Alcohol acts as a depressant, which is why excessive consumption reduces self-control, slows reaction time and impairs judgement and coordination; the term refers to slowed nervous activity, not to low mood.

This definition is part of the Disease and Immunity chapter in Cambridge O Level Biology.

Concepts related to Depressant

• reaction time
• Liver
• Drug