Final answer:
The statement is true; depressants such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines act on the GABA neurotransmitter system to produce calming and sedative effects. Prozac is a psychoactive drug but an antidepressant. The claim that all psychoactive drugs are illegal or prescription-only is false, while anxiolytics may be prescribed by a physician.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a depressant type of psychoactive drug slows brain activity and may help decrease the effects of depression and anxiety is true. Depressants are a class of psychoactive drugs that act to suppress central nervous system activity. Common examples of depressants include barbiturates and benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) or chlordiazepoxide (Librium). These medications work by acting as agonists of the gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system, which has an inhibitory effect on the brain, leading to reduced anxiety, sedation, and sleepiness. As a result, depressants can be prescribed to treat conditions associated with anxiety and insomnia.
To answer the given questions:
Prozac is indeed a psychoactive drug, but it is an antidepressant, specifically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), rather than a depressant. It is designed to increase serotonin levels in the brain and improve mood.
Three classes of psychoactive drugs that include opioids are narcotics, painkillers, and analgesics.
The statement that all psychoactive drugs are either illegal or available by prescription only is false. Some psychoactive drugs, such as caffeine and nicotine, are legal and widely available without a prescription.
Anxiolytics, which are drugs designed to reduce anxiety, might indeed be prescribed by a physician. They are often used to treat anxiety disorders.
Two drugs that activate receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA are benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax. These drugs have a depressant effect because GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases brain activity and induces a calming effect.