Definition of barbiturate

The word "barbiturate" derives from the chemical compound barbituric acid, which was first synthesized in 1864 by the German chemist Adolf von Baeyer. Barbituric acid, in turn, takes its name from the Latin word for grain, "barba," due to its resemblance to grains of wheat under the microscope. Barbiturates, which are derived from barbituric acid, are a class of sedative and hypnotic drugs that were popular in the mid-20th century as an alternative to the highly addictive and dangerous sedative chloral hydrate. The first barbiturate, known as Veronal, was introduced in 1903 as a mild sedative, but it was not until the 1930s that barbiturates were widely used as general anesthetics and sedatives. Barbiturates work by binding to specific receptors in the brain, which slows down the nervous system and leads to feelings of relaxation and sedation. However, barbiturates are highly addictive and can be fatal in overdose, leading to the development of safer and less addictive alternatives, such as benzodiazepines, in the 1960s. Today, barbiturates are rarely used in medical settings due to the availability of safer and more effective alternatives, but they still have some niche applications, such as in the treatment of certain types of seizures. The use of barbiturates is also associated with recreational drug use, as they can induce feelings of euphoria and hallucinations in high doses.