The sleep induced by drugs is not the same as natural sleep. Psychosis Psychosis is a condition in which a person may not be able to think clearly, recognize reality, or act rationally. The precise cause is often unknown, but stress, drug use, heredity, brain injury, or neurological disease may be involved. Drug treatment is usually reserved for when the psychosis is prolonged and interferes with normal life. Most antipsychosis drugs, including a commonly used class called phenothiazines , work by inhibiting the activity of a neurotransmitter called dopamine.
Dopamine is released in excess concentrations in psychosis.
Antipsychotics reduce the effect of dopamine by blocking the nerve cell receptors that respond to the chemical. Antipsychotics also interfere with the activity of another neurotransmitter, called acetylcholine, and after long-term use can cause involuntary muscle movements of the face and hands and other symptoms that resemble Parkinson's disease. These side effects may not be reversible when the drug is stopped. The most effective treatment is to remove the cause, if possible. Where the cause is unknown, drug treatment may be appropriate.