Hypnotic can be used to describe the state of hypnosis. In addition, it refers to a class of drug that induces sleep, used in the treatment of severe insomnia.

These drugs include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, zolpidem, cyclopyrrolone , chloral hydrate, chlormethiazole or the antihistamines promethazine and diphenhydramine. Alcohol is often tried as a hypnotic drug but it is not particularly effective.