What do we need to know about stimulants and depressants in regards to consciousness? My textbook is regurgitating everything, from short term effects to long term effects for over 10 different drugs. Do we need to know all that?
Short answer - no.
In terms of stimulants and depressants, the only time they are explicitly listed on the study design is in relation to brainwaves, and the changes that they cause. (Stimulants = more beta, Depressants = more alpha, theta, delta).
In regards to consciousness, I personally don't think there's too much you need to know. For example, remember than senses will be heightened by using a stimulant and dulled by using a depressant (pretty common sense), and basic things like that.
In terms of knowing different stimulants/depressants, I would remember that caffeine, nicotine and amphetamines are a stimulant, and alcohol, benzos and opiates (e.g. heroin) are classified as depressants. However, I would expect them to tell you most of the time, unless it's something really obvious like caffeine.