What drug categories typically lead to pupil constriction?

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Pupil constriction, also known as miosis, is primarily associated with narcotic analgesics, which include drugs like heroin, morphine, and other opioids. These substances act on the central nervous system and produce effects such as pain relief and sedation, leading to characteristic pupils that are smaller in size.

CNS stimulants, on the other hand, generally tend to cause pupil dilation (mydriasis). These drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines, increase the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, which can lead to enlarged pupils.

While hallucinogens can lead to varying effects on pupil size depending on the specific substance, they are more often associated with mydriasis, not miosis.

Therefore, it is accurate to say that pupil constriction is principally linked to narcotic analgesics, making it clear why the focused answer assesses both that particular category and its relevance in this context. The inclusion of narcotic analgesics as a key player in causing pupil constriction affirms the correctness of the chosen answer.

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