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The Effect of Barbiturates on Sleep

Barbiturates are drugs that depress the central nervous system. These drugs were commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia prior to the advent of benzodiazepines. Barbiturates increase overall sleep quantity while sacrificing the quality and quantity of rapid eye movement sleep (REM)

  1. Barbiturates Change Sleep Patterns

    • Barbiturates influence both the quantity and quality of sleep stages, with a notable increase in the speed of sleep onset and a decrease in REM sleep.

    Decreased Sleep Latency

    • The barbiturate class of drug is considered a hypnotic, as it greatly reduces the sleep latency. Sleep latency, meaning the amount of time it takes a person to fall asleep, is significantly shorter with the use of these drugs. An increase in overall sleep was also found.

    Decreased REM

    • REM is reduced with these drugs. It takes longer to begin REM, and it is disrupted and brief. During withdrawal from barbiturates, there are increased levels of REM. REM Behavior Disorder, in which dreams are acted out physically, may ensue from withdrawal.

    Slow wave sleep

    • Slow wave sleep stages are not influenced greatly by barbiturates according to the American College of Psychopharmacology.

    Barbiturates and sleep respiration

    • Barbiturates may decrease the respiratory drive. Therefore patients with pre-existing respiratory problems such as apnea can be at higher risk when taking barbiturates.

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