5.17 Increasing GABA Activity

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the effects of sedatives on the central nervous system and sleep quality.

Sedatives

A class of drugs that depress or slow down the central nervous system, inducing drowsiness and relaxation.

GABA

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain, which helps to inhibit action potentials and calm the brain.

Barbiturates

An older class of sedative drugs that act on GABA and can inhibit critical brain functions, leading to a high risk of dependence and overdose.

Benzodiazepines

A newer class of sedative drugs that increase GABA activity with a lower risk of shutting down vital functions compared to barbiturates.

Tolerance

A condition where increasing amounts of a drug are needed to achieve the same effect, often leading to a higher risk of dependence.

REM cycles

Rapid Eye Movement cycles important for quality sleep that can be disrupted by sedative drugs.