Eddy M. Elmer: Common Psychoactive Agents

Psychoactive Agents

by Eddy M. Elmer

Introduction

        The following charts are meant to be used as quick-reference guides for introductory students studying the common exogenous psychoactive agents---drugs which in some way affect an individual psychologically through biochemical means.

        I have divided the agents into four broad clinical groups, namely depressants, stimulants, analgesics and "narcotics," and hallucinogenics. I have also included a listing of common synaptic neurotransmitters. Under each of these five groups, agents are grouped into general categories according to their more specific effects.

        The agents are then sub-divided into various general chemical classes/types which are specifically related to a particular psychological response (including side effects). These sub-divisions are not meant to organise agents by purely chemical features, since two drugs in one chemical class may elicit completely unrelated psychological effects. Thus you will find various drugs of the same chemical class in different "chemical" sub-divisions. Usually, however, drugs in one chemical sub-division have similar psychological effects.

        As a general rule, the 4 broad clinical groups, the general categories, the more specific chemical/behavioural sub-divisions, and the individual agents listed therein are all listed according to their overall frequency of use.

        Where possible, the names of the most common commercial preparations of each agent are listed (for brevity, it is not feasible to list the names of all the various commercial preparations of each generic agent).

        Please note that this classification system is a simpler, more lucid version I have modified from the traditional, more detailed pharmaceutical classification system. I have, for instance, collapsed, merged, created, and omitted various clinical and chemical categories used in standard pharmacology and chemistry, categories which usually provide much more information when studying drugs. These charts are meant to be very general, rudimentary overviews of various psychoactive agents.

        Finally, please beware this is a work in progress. The information here is being verified and several errors are yet to be corrected. Furthermore, several agents are yet to be added.

        I hope these charts will be useful.

Eddy M. Elmer,
E.&O.E.

[   Introduction   ]

[   Depressants   |    Stimulants   ]

[   Analgesics and "Narcotics"   |    Hallucinogenics   ]

[   Synaptic Neurotransmitters   ]

Eddy M. Elmer