Although many theories on the mechanism of action of anaesthetics were provided after the first public demonstration of an ether anaesthesia in 1846 the understanding of the molecular pharmacology of anaesthesia presents special challenges even today. This book was conceived as a means to provide both basic researchers and clinicians with a current overview of the molecular workings of anaesthetics. Based on Post-Congress-Satellite-Symposium to the European Congress of Anaesthesia selected experts provide reviews on their respective fields of interest. The discussed topics include: Intravenous Anaesthetics, Inhalational Anaesthetics, Local Anaesthetics, Opioids, Muscle Relaxants as well as special sections on the Neural Correlates of Anaesthesia and Interactions of Anaesthetics with the Nitric Oxide Metabolism. Since anaesthesia by itself is not therapeutic but a necessary requirement of surgical procedures the reduction of side effects and thus the reduction of anaesthesia induced risk present another main focus of this book as well as side effects of anaesthetics and the interaction of anaesthetic adjuvants with the heart. The selection of review articles elucidates the dynamic processes in anaesthesia and applied neurosciences and indicates future directions in which anaesthesia research may go.