the external world individual neurons communicate with each other across gaps called synapses. synaptic communication or transmission works like this. neuron a emits messenger substances called neurotransmitters which bind to receptor years in neuron b. . anesthetics such as. mainly act on the neurotransmitter gaba which dampens the signals. of all reinforces this dampening effect and thus prevents the neuron from sending out a signal. the damping occurs at several locations in the central nervous system. precisely which are responsible for a patient losing consciousness is not yet clear. and most likely also depends on the anesthetic used. there are