A 'hypnotic' is any drug that depresses the
central nervous system. Also referred to as
tranquilizers,
depressants,
downers,
soporifics or simply 'sleeping pills'.
In smaller doses these drugs could be used as an anti-anxiety medication, in larger doses as an anesthetic. A patient scheduled for surgery will often be given a valium or xanax to generally relax their mind and body for the procedure.
They are split up into two fundamental categories: