n.1. generally, experiences (e.g., perceptions, memories, thoughts, volitions) of which one is unaware but that exist in the fringe of consciousness. See divided consciousness; unity of consciousness. 2. in cases of dissociative identity disorder, a person’s sense of having access to coexisting, distinct personalities. —coconsciousadj.
[described by U.S. physician Morton Prince (1854–1929), who preferred coconscious to the term subconscious]
n. an intermediate-acting barbiturate used in the treatment of insomnia and for daytime and preoperative sedation. Like other barbiturates, it is a nonselective CNS depressant and therefore quite toxic in overdose. Because tolerance to its sedative and hypnotic effects accrues much more rapidly than tolerance to its CNS depressant effects, its therapeutic index drops and its potential lethality increases as the dose is increased. These factors, plus its potential for abuse, have caused a decline in its clinical use. U.S. trade name: Butisol Sodium.