Barbitals are a type of sedative-hypnotic drug that have been used for a variety of medical conditions such as anxiety, sleep disorders, and seizures. They are also commonly referred to as barbiturates. There are a number of synonyms for barbitals, including barbs, downers, goofballs, or simply diet pills. While these drugs may have been popular in the past, they are often not the first choice of treatment for many medical conditions due to their addictive nature and potential for abuse. In addition, many other safer and more effective medications have been developed in recent years that can effectively treat conditions that were once treated with barbitals.