Barbiturates And Sleep: Impact On Rem Sleep Stages

Barbiturates are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that produce sedation, hypnosis (sleep), and anaesthesia (loss of sensation) depending on the dosage. While barbiturates can induce sleep, they disrupt the balance between slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is when dreaming is thought to occur, and barbiturates have been found to decrease REM sleep and reduce eye movements per minute of REM sleep. This has led to the prediction that barbiturate administration would result in more tranquil dreams.

Barbiturates lengthen the delay to REM sleep

Sleep is divided into two types: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM sleep is associated with dreaming and is characterised by the eyes moving rapidly and frequently. Normal sleep consists of alternating phases of slow-wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep. Barbiturates are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that produce sedative, hypnotic, and anesthetic effects. They are known to decrease REM sleep and thereby disturb the balance between SWS and REM sleep.

In a study, two subjects received 200 mg of sodium amylobarbitone for 26 nights. Sleep records showed that the barbiturate lengthened the delay to REM sleep and depressed REM sleep. After five nights, REM sleep returned to baseline values, indicating tolerance to the drug. Upon stopping the drug, withdrawal phenomena were observed.

Another experiment involved a subject dependent on 600 mg of Tuinal, a barbiturate. This subject had low normal REM sleep while on the drug. However, upon withdrawal, the delay to REM sleep became abnormally short, and REM sleep doubled. These findings suggest that barbiturates lengthen the delay to REM sleep and can disrupt the normal balance between SWS and REM sleep.

The effects of barbiturates on REM sleep are also evident when examining their behavioural effects. In low doses, barbiturates reduce anxiety, respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, and REM sleep. However, in higher doses, barbiturates can have stimulant-like effects, and may even increase some types of behaviour. Additionally, the lengthening of the delay to REM sleep caused by barbiturates may be one of the reasons they have been largely replaced by benzodiazepines for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.

REM sleep is disturbed by barbiturates

Sleep is divided into two types: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM sleep is when the eyes move rapidly and frequently, and it is thought to be the phase when dreaming occurs.

Barbiturates are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, or "downers", that produce sedation, hypnosis (sleep), and anaesthesia (loss of sensation) depending on the dosage. They are known to decrease REM sleep, thereby disturbing the balance between slow-wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep.

In one study, two subjects received 200 mg of sodium amylobarbitone for 26 nights. Sleep records showed that the barbiturate shortened the delay in falling asleep, increased the total sleep period, lengthened the delay to REM sleep, and depressed REM sleep. After five nights, REM sleep returned to baseline values, indicating tolerance to the drug.

Barbiturates can be addictive, and when stopped abruptly, they can cause rebound effects on REM sleep, interfering with sleep. They have been largely replaced by benzodiazepines for the treatment of anxiety or insomnia due to their toxicity and the availability of safer alternatives.

Withdrawal from barbiturates increases REM sleep

Sleep is divided into two types: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM sleep is associated with dreaming and is characterised by the eyes moving rapidly and frequently. Barbiturates are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that can produce sedation, hypnosis (sleep), and anaesthesia (loss of sensation).

Barbiturates have been found to decrease REM sleep and increase the time it takes to enter this sleep stage. However, withdrawal from barbiturates has been associated with an increase in REM sleep. In one experiment, a subject dependent on 600 mg of Tuinal, a barbiturate, was found to have low normal REM sleep while taking the drug. Upon withdrawal, the subject's REM sleep duration doubled, and the delay in entering this sleep stage became abnormally short.

This phenomenon, known as REM rebound, is a result of the body compensating for the previous suppression of REM sleep. It is important to note that withdrawal from barbiturates can cause severe symptoms, including sleeplessness, tremors, delirium, and convulsions. In some cases, withdrawal can even be fatal, especially with the cessation of short-acting barbiturates.

The effects of barbiturates on REM sleep are also influenced by factors such as the user's previous drug experience, the dosage, the circumstances in which the drug is taken, and the route of administration. For example, a dose taken at bedtime may induce sleep, while the same dose taken during the day may result in feelings of euphoria and incoordination.

Barbiturates reduce REM sleep

Sleep is divided into two types: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM sleep is associated with dreaming and is characterised by the eyes moving rapidly and frequently. Barbiturates are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that produce sedative, hypnotic, and anesthetic effects. They can induce sleep, but it is not the same as natural sleep.

Barbiturates decrease REM sleep, thereby disturbing the balance between slow-wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep. They shorten the delay in falling asleep, increase the total sleep period, and lengthen the delay to REM sleep. However, they also decrease the overall amount of REM sleep and reduce the frequency of eye movements per minute of REM sleep. This reduction in REM sleep, or dreaming sleep, is one of the ways in which barbiturate-induced sleep differs from natural sleep.

The effects of barbiturates are influenced by several factors, including the user's previous drug experience, the circumstances in which the drug is taken, and the method of administration. The same dose of barbiturates can have different effects depending on the time of day it is taken. For example, a dose taken during the day may produce a feeling of euphoria, incoordination, and an emotional response, whereas a dose taken at bedtime is more likely to induce sleep.

Additionally, barbiturates have been associated with strong withdrawal symptoms and rebound effects on REM sleep when abruptly discontinued. Withdrawal from barbiturates can lead to an increase in the amount and intensity of REM sleep, with symptoms ranging from sleeplessness and tremors to delirium and convulsions in severe cases. This phenomenon is known as REM rebound, and it underscores the importance of supporting patients during the withdrawal process.

Barbiturates are CNS depressants

Barbiturates are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, also known as "downers". They produce a range of effects on the CNS, from mild sedation to hypnosis (sleep) and anaesthesia (loss of sensation). The effects of barbiturates depend on the dosage, circumstances of administration, and the user's previous drug experience. A small dose of a barbiturate can reduce anxiety, respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate, while a larger dose can induce sleep, and an even larger dose will result in unconsciousness.

The sleep produced by barbiturates is not the same as natural sleep. Natural sleep consists of alternating phases of slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is associated with dreaming and skeletal muscle relaxation, while the eyes move rapidly. Barbiturates decrease REM sleep, thereby disrupting the balance between SWS and REM sleep. They also reduce the frequency of eye movements during REM sleep.

The effects of barbiturates are similar to those of alcohol intoxication, and the two substances enhance each other when combined. Barbiturates are also known to have synergistic and potentially fatal effects when combined with other CNS depressants, such as opioids, antihistamines, and certain over-the-counter medications. Barbiturates differ from some other sedative-hypnotic drugs in that they do not elevate the pain threshold. Patients in severe pain may become agitated if given barbiturates without analgesics.

Barbiturates are classified based on their duration of effect, ranging from long-acting to ultra-short-acting. Long-acting barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, were historically used as daytime sedatives for anxiety treatment, while short- and intermediate-acting barbiturates, such as pentobarbital and secobarbital, were used as hypnotics. The ultra-short-acting barbiturates, like thiopental, are used for the induction of anaesthesia due to their rapid induction of sleep when administered intravenously.

Barbiturates have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines, a generally safer group of drugs, for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. Barbiturates can be addictive, and abrupt cessation can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including rebound effects on REM sleep, with an increase in the amount and intensity of REM sleep.

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