Most drugs fall into one or more of these main drug categories: stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Marijuana is a drug that may be classified as both a depressant and a hallucinogenic.
Ask your students to create a visual of a stimulant, depressant, and hallucinogenic effect and describe what the drug does to the body. By asking the students to create specific drug examples and requiring them to list the long term effects of continued use may be a good way to reinforce negative consequences of drug use. Monitoring what students produce while they work is key to keeping the content school appropriate.
Drugs that fall under the stimulant drug category will speed up the central nervous system when introduced to the body. Effects include elevated heart rate, increased alertness or energy, lowered appetite, and possible insomnia.
Examples of stimulants are:
Depressants are known to slow down the central nervous system. Some effects on the body include lowered heart rate, numbness, lowered reaction time, and impaired coordination.
Examples of depressants are:
Hallucinogenic substances alter someone’s perspective of light, taste, hearing, and sight, while possibly causing hallucinations. These effects on the body make hallucinogens popular at music events.
Examples of hallucinogens include:
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard showing the different effects of drugs on the body.
Engage students by introducing each drug category with relatable examples and simple language. Encourage open questions and clarify misconceptions to build a safe learning environment for sensitive topics.
Establish boundaries before the discussion begins. Remind students to use respectful language, avoid personal stories, and focus on facts. This keeps conversations safe and age-appropriate for everyone.
Present short, realistic situations involving choices around drug use. Ask students to discuss possible outcomes and identify effects associated with stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens. This deepens understanding of real-world consequences.
Guide students to brainstorm positive ways to manage stress, peer pressure, or curiosity. Highlight healthy habits such as sports, art, or talking with trusted adults to reinforce drug-free choices.
Ask students to write down one new fact and one question they still have. Use these reflections to tailor future lessons and ensure student understanding of the main drug categories.
The three main drug categories commonly taught are stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Each affects the body and brain in different ways, and some drugs, like marijuana, can fit into more than one category.
Visual activities, such as having students create a storyboard or visual chart of each drug category's effects, help reinforce understanding. Students can list short-term and long-term effects and illustrate how each drug impacts the body without showing actual use.
Stimulants: nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines.
Depressants: alcohol, heroin, prescription opioids, sleeping medications.
Hallucinogens: LSD, PCP, ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana.
Stimulants speed up the nervous system and increase alertness. Depressants slow down the nervous system and can cause drowsiness. Hallucinogens alter perception, causing changes in senses and sometimes hallucinations.
Monitor student work closely, give clear instructions to avoid depicting drug use, and require students to focus on effects and consequences rather than glamorizing drugs. Encourage factual, respectful discussions.