Flunitrazepam is a potent benzodiazepine with sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic effects, working by enhancing GABA-A receptor activity to calm the central nervous system. It has been used clinically for severe insomnia, anxiety, and pre-anesthetic sedation, though its high potency and risk of dependence have led to strict regulations. Historically, it was first synthesized in Germany in the late 1960s as a more potent alternative to earlier benzodiazepines like diazepam, and gained medical use in the 1970s–1980s. Over time, flunitrazepam became known for misuse and illicit activities, prompting many countries to restrict its availability, yet it still retains a place in clinical practice under careful supervision.
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