The full mechanism of how anesthesia causes loss of consciousness and pain is still not fully understood. However, recent studies are beginning to reveal some of the mechanisms.
What is known
Neuronal effects: Anesthetics suppress the activity of neurons, including those in the brain, and block their communication, thereby reducing pain, reflexes, and other responses to surgical stimuli.
Receptor interactions: Many anesthetics act by binding to specific receptors on nerve cell membranes. Binding to these receptors plays an important role in inhibiting neuronal activity.
Effects on ion channels: Anesthetics have been shown to alter the function of ion channels in nerve cell membranes and inhibit neuronal excitation.
Brain wave changes: Anesthetics cause brain waves to change from a waking state to a deep sleep-like pattern.
What we don’t know
Although much is known about the mechanism of action of anesthesia, there are still aspects that are not fully understood. The following are some of the major unknowns.
Mechanism of loss of consciousness: The exact mechanism of general anesthesia-induced loss of consciousness is not yet fully understood. Research continues to determine which parts of the brain and neural circuits are directly involved in the loss of consciousness.
Causes of Individual Differences: The same dose of anesthesia may have different effects on different individuals. The detailed mechanisms of these individual differences are not yet fully understood.
Awakening process from anesthesia: The details of the pattern of brain activity during awakening from anesthesia and the process of regaining consciousness are still under study.
Long-term effects: The long-term effects of anesthesia on the brain, especially in the elderly and children, require further study.
Mechanisms of side effects: The exact mechanisms of some side effects, such as nausea after anesthesia and temporary effects on cognitive function, are not yet fully understood.
Site of action of certain anesthetics: For some anesthetics, the exact site of action in the brain and the molecular mechanism by which they exert their effects are not fully understood.
Pain suppression mechanisms: The full complexity of the neural circuitry involved in pain perception and suppression is not yet fully understood.
Ongoing research is being conducted in neuroscience, pharmacology, and molecular biology to address these unresolved aspects. Further elucidation is expected with the development of new techniques and methods.
Personal Opinion of the Inquirer
I heard somewhere that it is not well understood why anesthesia works, so I asked AI. They don’t really know, but they are using it anyway because it works.
NB.
This text is based on asking the AI; the AI’s answers may not always be correct. Important information should be checked.
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