BACKGROUND The neural mechanisms underlying the modulation of pain perception by hypnosis remain obscure. In this study, we used positron emission tomography in 11 healthy volunteers to identify the brain areas in which hypnosis modulates cerebral responses to a noxious stimulus. METHODS The protocol used a factorial design with two factors: state (hypnotic state, resting state, mental imager...

Background: Coriandrum sativum L. has been recommended for relief of insomnia in Iranian traditional medicine. However, no pharmacological studies have yet evaluated its sedative effects. The aim of this study was to determine if extracts and essential oil of coriander seeds have sedative-hypnotic activity. Methods: The aqueous or hydro-alcoholic extracts or essential oil of coriander seeds (10...

IN THIS study, the principle of using a physiological fluid load to produce a disturbance in the sleep of normal subjects has been utilized both for the evaluation of the non-barbiturate hypnotic, ethchlorvynol ('Arvynol': Pfizer) and to compare its hypnotic effect with glutethimide ('Doriden': Ciba). The technique, which is based on the work of Isaacs (1957 a,b.) and Condouris, Costa and Bonny...

This study was investigated to know whether pachymic acid (PA), one of the predominant triterpenoids in Poria cocos (Hoelen) has the sedative-hypnotic effects, and underlying mechanisms are mediated via γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic systems. Oral administration of PA markedly suppressed locomotion activity in mice. This compound also prolonged sleeping time, and reduced sleep latency showing...

IN THIS study, the principle of using a physiological fluid load to produce a disturbance in the sleep of normal subjects has been utilized both for the evaluation of the non-barbiturate hypnotic, ethchlorvynol ('Arvynol': Pfizer) and to compare its hypnotic effect with glutethimide ('Doriden': Ciba). The technique, which is based on the work of Isaacs (1957 a,b.) and Condouris, Costa and Bonny...

In Iranian traditional medicine, plants belonging to Inula genus have been used for the treatment of seizure. We decided to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of seven species from this genus to find an effective remedy for seizure with less adverse effects compared to available medicines. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Inula britannica, Inula helenium, Inula viscidula, Inula oculus-ch...

Rats were made tolerant to the hypnotic effects of the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine by a 7- or 14-day continuous systemic administration of the same, and the ability of nifedipine to reverse dexmedetomidine tolerance was assessed. Acute administration of nifedipine (10 mg/kg i.p.) restored the hypnotic response to dexmedetomidine in the alpha-2 tolerant rats. Concurrent administra...

BACKGROUND Many studies show an effectiveness of hypnotic analgesia. It has been discussed whether the analgesic effect is mainly caused by the relaxation that is concomitant to hypnosis. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of hypnotic relaxation suggestion on different somatosensory detection and pain thresholds. METHODS Quantitative sensory testing (QST) measurements were perfor...