Role of water as anesthesia

Abstract

The hydration energies for general anesthetics such as chloroform, nitrous oxide, argon, and xenon as well as chlorine and helium are evaluated by using an empirical potential function. The results are compared with those of the theories which postulate that anesthetic action occurs in the aqueous phases of the central nervous system. It is thought that the formation of the water clathrate structure may play an important role for general anesthesia.