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░ Definition
Barbiturates have been used extensively in the past as sedatives. From 60s or 70s of the twentieth century, barbiturates have been used to treat disorders related to stress. Nowadays, a new group of hypnotics called benzodiazepines has replaced many of the barbiturates. However, barbiturates are still used to treat some types of epilepsy.
░ Effects of barbiturates
Low doses:
Reduce anxiety; reduce respiration, reduce blood pressure, reduce heart rate and reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
High doses :
Barbiturates can actually act like a stimulant, depressing or removing inhibitory behaviour. Barbiturate overdoses can lead to excessive sedation and cause anesthesia, coma and even death.
A major problem with barbiturates is that they lead to tolerance, and a greater and greater amount of the drug is required to get the desired effect, finally leading to the dependence. Withdrawal symptoms from using barbiturates include: anxiety, insomnia, seizures, nauseas and hallucinations.
░ Brain
Barbiturates dissolve easily in fat. Therefore, barbiturates have ready access to the brain because they can cross the blood brain barrier easily.
Once in the brain, barbiturates prevent sodium ions flow across the neuronal membrane, at the same time that these drugs increase chloride ion flow. Both actions reduce the chances of generation of action potentials.
░ Important: In hot weather"
Hot weathers and periods of high temperatures are especially risky when using barbiturates, which could favour liquid loss and produce high toxicity in dehydrated patients. In the case of using a sedative, it is recommended to be extremely careful and to consult a doctor.
More information (University of Washington) >>
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