General anesthesia is a reversible process that blocks pain and depresses the central nervous system, using various pharmacological methods. It includes components such as hypnosis, analgesia, and muscle relaxation, and progresses through stages from analgesia to surgical anesthesia and intoxication. Various agents, both inhaled and intravenous, are used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, with attention to avoiding complications related to respiratory and circulatory systems.