Final answer:
The primary effect of a hypnotic drug is to induce sleepiness and reduce anxiety. These drugs act by enhancing the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that calms brain activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary effect of a hypnotic drug is to induce sleepiness and reduce anxiety by calming the brain's activity. Hypnotic drugs are a type of depressant, acting as agonists of the gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system, which has a natural quieting effect on the brain. Clinically, hypnosis employs a state of extreme self-focus and heightened suggestibility to help alter thoughts and perceptions, and can be effective in managing pain, treating depression and anxiety, aiding smoking cessation, and supporting weight loss efforts.