What class of drugs includes agents such as cocaine and amphetamines?

The correct classification for agents like cocaine and amphetamines is stimulants. Stimulants are substances that elevate mood, increase feelings of well-being, and increase energy and alertness by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine. Both cocaine and amphetamines function by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters, leading to heightened mental and physical activity.

In contrast, hallucinogens are drugs that primarily alter perception, mood, and various cognitive processes, typically inducing hallucinations. Depressants work by slowing down the central nervous system, often resulting in sedation and relaxation, which is contrary to the effects produced by stimulants. Analgesics are medications designed to relieve pain without causing the loss of consciousness. Given the definitions and effects of these classes of drugs, stimulants accurately describe cocaine and amphetamines due to their stimulating effects on the brain and body.