How quickly can unconsciousness begin after an intravenous anesthetic injection?

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When an intravenous anesthetic is administered, unconsciousness typically occurs smoothly within 10 to 15 seconds of starting the injection.1

This rapid onset is primarily due to the high lipid solubility of these central nervous system depressants and their relatively high perfusion rate in the brain. Common agents used for this purpose include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, propofol, ketamine, and etomidate. These drugs are frequently utilized for the induction of anesthesia, often followed by an inhalational agent to maintain the anesthetic state.1