property | value |
---|---|
Common names | Ambien, Intermezzo, Edluar, Zolpimist |
Substitutive name | Zolpidem |
Systematic name | N,N-dimethyl-2-(6-methyl-2-p-tolylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)acetamide |
Psychoactive class | Depressant,Hallucinogen |
Chemical class | Imidazopyridine |
zolpidem (also known as ambien, intermezzo, edluar, stilnox, zolpimist, and others) is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine chemical class which is primarily used in the treatment of insomnia.
when taken at recreational doses, it reportedly produces powerful and notoriously bizarre atypical hallucinogenic, dissociative, deliriant and even psychedelic effects.
zolpidem is a member of a family colloquially known as a “z-drug.” other z-drugs include zaleplon (sonata) and zopiclone. these drugs were initially thought to be less addictive and/or habit-forming than benzodiazepines. however, this evaluation has shifted in the last few years as cases of addiction and habituation have accumulated.
zolpidem is recommended to be taken on a short-term basis only. daily or continuous use of the drug is not usually advised.
chemistry
zolpidem is a hypnotic nonbenzodiazepine drug of the imidazopyridine class. this class of drugs is named for having an imidazole constituent, a five-membered ring with two non-adjacent nitrogen constituents fused to a pyridine ring, a six-membered nitrogenous ring which shares a nitrogen with the imidazole group.
gabaa-agonizing imidazopyridines such as zolpidem are often grouped with pyrazolopyrimidines, and cyclopyrrones under the label “nonbenzodiazepines” for their similar effects.
pharmacology
zolpidem interacts with the gaba-bz receptor system and shares some of the pharmacological properties of traditional benzodiazepines.
in contrast to benzodiazepines, which non-selectively bind to and activate all bz receptor subtypes among others, zolpidem binds to the bz1 receptor preferentially with a high affinity ratio of the α1/α5 subunits. it’s this selective binding in comparison to traditional benzodiazepines that gives zolpidem very weak anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant properties but very strong hypnotic or sedative properties.
as the gaba site is the most prolific inhibitory receptor set within the brain, its modulation results in the sedating (or calming effects) of zolpidem on the nervous system.
in regards to how the consumption of this compound results in its bizarre hallucinations, the pharmacological mechanics behind this are not understood and do not seem to have been directly studied. it is worth noting, however, that zolpidem may share similar mechanisms as a gabaa receptor agonist to that of muscimol, which is the active compound within the hallucinogenic amanita muscaria mushroom.
Tarek –
HasseS. –