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Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

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Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

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Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
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Altered States of Awareness01:06

Altered States of Awareness

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Altered states of consciousness represent significant deviations from one's normal mental state. These deviations can range from subtle changes in awareness to profound transformations in perception, thought processes, and sensory experiences. Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various factors, including drug use, meditation, hypnosis, illness, or even intense fatigue.
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

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Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

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Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A...
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Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

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The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation
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Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation

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[Hypnotics--state of the science].

C Nissen1, L Frase, G Hajak

  • 1Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Hauptstr. 5, 79104, Freiburg, Deutschland, christoph.nissen@uniklinik-freiburg.de.

Der Nervenarzt
|December 19, 2013
PubMed
Summary

This review covers sleep-inducing drugs, recommending non-pharmacological methods first. It details short-term options like benzodiazepines and long-term use of antihistamines/antidepressants, noting limited efficacy for others.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Sleep Medicine

Context:

  • Overview of indications and effects of sleep-inducing drugs.
  • Non-pharmacological interventions are preferred first-line treatments for insomnia.

Purpose:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of pharmacological interventions for sleep disorders.
  • To discuss the efficacy, tolerability, and risks associated with various sleep-inducing medications.

Summary:

  • Benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine receptor agonists are recommended for short-term acute insomnia treatment.
  • Sedative antihistamines and antidepressants are frequently used for long-term insomnia, despite risks of tolerance and dependency.
  • Herbal compounds and melatonin have minimal side effects but limited therapeutic efficacy.
  • Long-term data on the efficacy and tolerability of many sleep-inducing substances are scarce.

Impact:

  • Highlights the need for cautious pharmacological treatment of insomnia, prioritizing non-pharmacological approaches.
  • Emphasizes the risks of tolerance and dependency with certain hypnotics.
  • Recommends thorough psychiatric and somatic evaluation for treatment-resistant insomnia.