Which medications are specifically designed to induce sleep?

Hypnotics are a class of medications specifically designed to induce sleep and are commonly referred to as sedative-hypnotics. They work by enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain that promote relaxation and drowsiness, thus helping individuals who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. These medications play a critical role in the treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders by facilitating the onset of sleep and maintaining a deeper sleep cycle.

Stimulants, on the other hand, are designed to increase alertness and energy levels, which is the opposite effect of what is needed for inducing sleep. Antidepressants may have sedative properties but are primarily used to treat depression and anxiety rather than directly for sleep issues. Vasodilators are medications that dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure; they do not have any sleep-inducing effects. Hence, hypnotics are uniquely tailored for inducing sleep, making them the correct choice in this context.