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barbiturates
- a class of drugs that are chemical derivatives of barbituric acid
- they induce sedation and sleep
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benzodiazepines
a chemical category of drugs most frequently prescribed as sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic drugs
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gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain
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hypnotics
drugs that, when given at low to moderate dosages, calm or sooth the CNS without inducing sleep but when given at high dosages do cause sleep
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Non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep
- largest portion of the sleep cycle
- characteristically has four stages and precedes REM sleep. Most of a normal sleep cycle consists of non-REM sleep
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rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
- one of the stages of the sleep cycles
- charactersitcs: rapid movement of the eyes, viivd dreams, and irregular breathing
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REM interference
drug-induced reduction of REM sleep time
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REM rebound
excessive REM sleep following discontinuation of a sleep-altering drug
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sedatives
drugs that have an inhibitory effect on the CNS to the degree that they reduce nervousness, excitability, and irritability without causing sleep
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sedatives-hypnotics
drugs that can act in the body either as sedatives or as hypnotics
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sleep
transient, reversible, and periodic state of rest in which there is a decrease in physical activity and consciousness
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sleep architecture
structure of the various elements involved in the sleep cycle, including normal and abnormal patterns of sleep
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