This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-08T03:33:20Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
It is strongly discouraged to consume moderate to heavy dosages of these substances together.
The structure of barbituric acid
Barbiturates (also referred to as barbies) are a class of drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. Similarly to benzodiazepines, they produce a variety of effects including sleepiness, anxiety suppression, muscle relaxation, anti-convulsion and sedation. Barbiturates have been largely replaced by benzodiazepines, generally because benzodiazepines have lower toxicity compared to barbiturates. However, barbiturates are still used today for various medical purposes, mostly for anesthesia.
It's worth noting that the sudden discontinuation of barbiturates can be potentially dangerous or life-threatening for individuals using regularly for extended periods of time, sometimes resulting in seizures or death.[citation needed]
Barbiturates are based on the barbituric acid molecule. Commonly, two hydrocarbon substitutions are present at carbon R5. of the pyrimidine ring. It also contains three double-bonded oxygen substitutions at R2, R4 and R6.
The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWikicontributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects. These effects are listed and defined in detail within their own dedicated articles below:
Sedation - In terms of energy level alterations, these drugs have the potential to be extremely sedating and often results in an overwhelmingly lethargic state or even anesthesia. At higher levels, this causes users to suddenly feel as if they are extremely sleep deprived and have not slept for days, forcing them to sit down and generally feel as if they are constantly on the verge of passing out instead of engaging in physical activities. This sense of sleep deprivation increases proportional to dosage and eventually becomes powerful enough to force a person into complete unconsciousness.
Emotion suppression - Although this compound primarily suppresses anxiety, it also dulls other emotions in a manner which is distinct but less intensive than that of antipsychotics.
Delusions of sobriety - This is the false belief that one is perfectly sober despite obvious evidence to the contrary such as severe cognitive impairment and an inability to fully communicate with others. It most commonly occurs at heavy dosages.
Toxicity and harm potential
This toxicity and harm potential section is a stub.
As a result, it may contain incomplete or even dangerously wrong information! You can help by expanding upon or correcting it. Note: Always conduct independent research and use harm reduction practices if using this substance.
Barbiturates are toxic at higher dosages. Barbiturates have a greater addiction potential than benzodiazepines. Overdose can be achieved easier with barbiturates than with benzodiazepines.
