Benzos increase the frequency or likelihood of an inhibitory chloride channel opening. Barbiturates open it.
This is why barbiturate overdoses are far more likely than benzos to result in death - unless another sedative agent is added like alcohol or narcotics. And why we can induce general anesthesia with barbiturates but rarely benzos alone.
Terribletwoes t1_jegvqlu wrote
Reply to comment by SkyARKy in ELI5: If benzodiazepines are CNS depressants, why is it so hard to die from a overdose of them alone? by psychrolute
To add, correct, or be pedantic:
Benzos increase the frequency or likelihood of an inhibitory chloride channel opening. Barbiturates open it.
This is why barbiturate overdoses are far more likely than benzos to result in death - unless another sedative agent is added like alcohol or narcotics. And why we can induce general anesthesia with barbiturates but rarely benzos alone.
-Peds gas passer