What type of gases are considered anesthetic inhalants?

Anesthetic inhalants are specifically designed to induce a state of anesthesia, which primarily involves the cessation of pain perception during medical procedures. While many anesthetic agents may also promote relaxation or change mood, their primary and most critical function is to block pain. This characteristic makes them essential tools in surgical and medical settings, as they allow procedures to be conducted without the patient experiencing pain.

Other choices may touch on effects that some anesthetic gases can have, like promoting relaxation or inducing sleep, but these effects serve as secondary benefits. The key aspect of these gases lies in their ability to kill or block pain, making option B the most accurate description of anesthetic inhalants.