Conscious sedation, which is not the same thing as general anesthesia, is often used for endoscopy:

https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/patient-information/...

And sometimes it doesn't work. Patients are then given the option of going ahead without sedation, or rescheduling for general anaesthesia.

Hmm, I got one and they used ketamine and an amnesiatic. Not considered general anesthesia but I don't remember a thing. This was in the US.

But even "general anesthesia" still has differing categories.

Surgery uses propofol plus a gas anesthesia for "general anesthesia", but it is considered "general anesthesia" even if only propofol is used.

Which end are we scoping? Colonoscopy is often done without anaesthesia but tends to take longer than 2 minutes, so I'm not sure if that's what OC is referring to. It's uncomfortable, but that's ok. Scoping nose/mouth->stomach also doesn't come with any drugs, just some lube.

I've done it (it's standard in many countries). Honestly, it's a bit horrifying because you are completely at the mercy of someone else but it's bearable. Colonoscopy is definitely easier.

My only experience with global anesthesia was as a child waking up with a massive asthma attack unable to breathe so I try to avoid it.

> Honestly, it's a bit horrifying because you are completely at the mercy of someone else but it's bearable.

Probably not as horrifying as brain surgery or getting your eyes lasered.

very common. doing it routinely. you never heard of it?