what does "downer" really mean?

[soer]

ive always been confused by this .


it sounds like its somethin that gets you "down" or depresses you


but as i learn more about drugs, im comin to realize that it might be somethin diff..


what does it mean exactly? it brings you down and chills you out or what


and what about uppers?

[OneDiaDem]

Downers=smooth, calm,laid backrelaxing buzz


Uppers=fast, speed, energetic, want to clean everything in sight or jog around the blockhigh

[hacnslash]

it's called a downer because it depresses your central nervous system, ie it slows it down, slow heart rate/breathing.

[Bluelight25]

The CNS descript is accurate: That is exactly what it does.They also decrease motor function and are, in general, anxiolytic [read: "anti-anxiety"] properties. Has nothing to do with being "Down", which is usually a lack of some neurotransmitter.