Michigan Driver's Education Practice Exam

Depressant drugs slow the central nervous system, reducing brain activity and the speed of bodily functions. This slowing leads to lower alertness, slower reaction times, poorer coordination, and easier impairment of judgment. Because a depressant does the opposite of speeding things up or increasing alertness, the correct description is that it slows the CNS. Common examples include alcohol and many sedatives like benzodiazepines or barbiturates.