General anesthetics are drugs that produce reversible loss of sensation and consciousness. They work by depressing brain function from the cortex down to the medulla. There are two main types - inhalational anesthetics which are gases or vapors inhaled, and intravenous anesthetics which are injected. Both work by inhibiting excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate while enhancing inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA. This raises the threshold for electrical signals in the brain and lowers responsiveness to stimuli. While very effective at inducing unconsciousness, general anesthetics must be carefully monitored as the line between surgical anesthesia and respiratory/circulatory failure is narrow.