Barbiturate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Historical Origins

• The name 'barbiturate' comes from 'barbituric acid,' which was first synthesized in the 1860s, paving the way for its development as a medicine.
• Barbiturates were originally used in the 1900s primarily as sleep aids and anesthetics before their risks were well understood.
• In the 1960s, they became popular among artists and musicians as a way to cope with stress and anxiety.

Medical Usage

• They are central nervous system depressants, meaning they slow down brain activity, which can help with anxiety but also carries risks of overdose.
• Used primarily now for anesthesia or to control seizures, their initial use as a sedative has significantly decreased due to safety concerns.
• Withdrawal from barbiturates can be dangerous and requires medical supervision, showcasing the dependency risks associated with prolonged use.

Cultural Impact

• Barbiturates have been referenced in numerous songs and movies, often portrayed as substances that lead to both creativity and danger.
• In the 1970s, the term 'barbiturate' became widely known in pop culture, sometimes associated with the glamorization of drug use in films and music.
• Several high-profile celebrity deaths in the past were linked to overdoses involving barbiturates, highlighting their potential dangers.

Legal and Social Aspects

• Due to their high potential for abuse, the production and distribution of barbiturates are strictly regulated in many countries.
• The rise of alternative medications has led to barbiturates becoming less common in treatment plans despite their historical significance in medicine.
• Public awareness campaigns have emerged to educate about the dangers of barbiturate misuse, especially in the context of addiction.

Science and Chemistry

• Barbiturates work by enhancing the effect of a neurotransmitter called GABA, which inhibits nerve activity in the brain.
• They can be classified into short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting types, depending on how quickly they affect the body.
• Research is ongoing into safer alternatives with similar calming effects but fewer side effects and dependency issues.

The term 'barbiturate' is derived from the chemical name of the first drug in this class, which was synthesized in 1864 by the German chemist Adolf von Baeyer. He created the compound barbital, which is a derivative of barbituric acid. Barbituric acid itself was discovered in 1864 by another chemist, Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf von Bayer, linking its origins to early organic chemistry research in Germany. The name 'barbiturate' combines 'barbituric acid' with the suffix '-ate', which is commonly used in chemistry to denote salts or esters of a particular acid. Barbiturates became widely used in the 20th century as sedatives and anesthetics until the dangers of addiction and overdose emerged, leading to their decreased use in favor of safer alternatives.

At rank #26,586, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

• ...
• 26583 blaring
• 26584 transportable
• 26585 wordless
• 26586 barbiturate
• 26587 preeminently
• 26588 gopher
• 26589 indexation
• ...