[Abstract] Background: The clinical application of general anesthesia has been used about 160 years, but neurophysiological mechanism of corresponding behavioral changes caused by anesthetic such as loss of consciousness, amnesia and analgesic are still unclear, especially for the most special unconsciousness,which is the most superficial understanding. Purpose: We reviewed the impact of general anesthetics on ion channels and corresonding receptors, as well as brain electrical activity and changes in brain function. Content: The research of general anesthesia mechanisms can be divided into six levels: the molecular , synaptic, cellular , neural micro-circuit level, system (brain areas) and behavioral level. This review summarized the progress about general anesthetics at different structrual levels and to explore the the change of on brain function by general anesthetics on macro level. Trends: The combination of different kinds of experimental techniques could provide a new approach for general anesthesia mechanism.