Dissociative anesthetics are a class of drugs that inhibit pain by distorting the perception of sight and sound and producing feelings of detachment from the environment and self. They work primarily by blocking the action of the neurotransmitter glutamate at the NMDA receptor in the brain. This results in a trance-like state where the patient is conscious but detached from their surroundings, with varying degrees of amnesia and analgesia.

The most well-known dissociative anesthetic is ketamine, which is used both in veterinary and human medicine for anesthesia and pain management. Another example is phencyclidine (PCP), although it's no longer used medically due to its potential for abuse and severe side effects.

These drugs can have side effects including hallucinations, confusion, and, in some cases, long-term cognitive effects. Because of these potential side effects, their use is often carefully controlled and monitored in medical settings.