Which CNS depressants cause sleep with a much more potent CNS effect than sedatives?

• A. Sedatives
• B. Barbiturates
• C. Hypnotics
• D. Benzodiazepines

Answer: (C)

Hypnotics are sleep-inducing CNS depressants whose defining action is to initiate and maintain sleep, meaning they produce a much stronger central depressant effect than simple sedatives that mainly calm and reduce anxiety. Sedatives quiet the CNS without reliably causing sleep, while hypnotics are used specifically to促 sleep. Although benzodiazepines and barbiturates can function as sedatives or hypnotics depending on dose, the category that inherently emphasizes sleep induction is hypnotics, which is why this choice best fits the question.