The aim of this thesis is to explain the mechanisms of action of anesthetics, local and general, focusing on molecular mechanisms, but also describing pharmacokinetics, as an important factor which influences their effect. Many recent articles and books as complementary literature, were assessed with the goal of uniting knowledge from different points of view. It has been shown that anesthetics temporarily block conduction of peripheral nerve, acting predominantly on a sodium voltage-gated channels. However, the effect of local anesthetics is dependent on numerous pharmacokinetic and physical factors like liposolubility, pH of the solution and the surrounding tissue as well, pKa of the drug, blood flow, characteristics of the nerve and the ability of the anesthetic to penetrate the membranes. The mechanism of general anesthetics has been based for a long time on the assumption of nonspecific mechanism of action on lipid membranes, however newer researches have shown that general anesthetics are in fact acting specifically on membrane proteins. Their prime molecular target is GABAA-receptor chloride channel, but they are affecting other channels as well, inhibitory and excitatory likewise. The difference in the distribution of the effect on different regions of the central nervous system has been also highlighted since it reflects specific elements of general anesthesia more or less expressed during the procedure. While the mechanisms of local anesthetics have been well understood, mechanisms of general anesthetics are remaining unclear and are a subject of numerous studies which will contribute not only to the purpose of anesthesiology but also to better understanding of activity of brain regions.