"formerly known as 'cat arranger'" <goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM@hotmail.com>
wrote in message news:<5wBqd.368256$a85.39041@fed1read04>...

"shrikeback" <hewpiedawg@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:wcGdnb179s9dTzfcRVn-tg@comcast.com...
:
: "formerly known as 'cat arranger'" <goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM@hotmail.com>
wrote
: in message news:etVpd.360578$a85.332810@fed1read04...
: > Sodium pentathol.
:
: It is a myth that sodium pentathol is a "truth serum". In fact, it is
: a short-acting barbiturate, a sedative hypnotic, a downer, with
: the same sort of effects as qualudes, or alcohol. Of course,
: these drugs can cause people to have looser lips, but they
: also make them lie just as often as they make them tell the truth.
: It's doubtful there is such a thing as a "truth serum"; such a
: thing would be magic. It's not uncommon for people to
: attribute magic powers to drugs though.
:
: One thing many have noticed about alcoholics, though, is that
: they tend to preach more when they're drunk. Jesus this,
: and God that. Oh, I guess Dad's been hitting the bottle again.

Can you provide a source or post your credentials to support
your statement that sodium pentathol and all other drugs do not
qualify as 'truth serums'?

I found several references, though their definitive
nature may not be perfect.

From U of L's Dept. of Anesthesiology:

<http://www.or.org/anesth/Patients/AboutAnesthesia/CommonQuestions/LossofConsciousness.lasso>

Your anesthesia probably will be started with an "induction agent"; a
common one with which you may be familiar is sodium thiopental
(Pentothal®). You may have heard that this induction agent is used as
a "truth serum"; that is a myth. The real truth is that thiopental is
used basically during the first step (induction) of your anesthesia
when you "drift off to sleep" and lasts only a few minutes.

From an article on BBC that is more generally about
the detecting lies:

<http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A664021>

"Truth inducing drugs are a staple part in the plot of many Hollywood
espionage movies. They offer a very convenient means to ease the plot
on its way. But is there any credibility behind the romantic ideal?

Well, thiopental sodium, which is trademarked under the name 'Sodium
Pentothal' by Abbott Laboratories is an anaesthetic with side-effects
similar to truth serums of the movies. Allegedly, when a small enough
dose is administered the patient does not lose consciousness, instead
entering a very relaxed state. Individuals in this state are far more
open to suggestion than normal and lose many of their inhibitions.
This in turn makes them more likely to voice what they are thinking
without considering their words first. However, they keep their
self-control, and would not do or say anything against their nature.
This would make it a poor tool in detecting deliberate lies, since if
the subject is unwilling to tell the truth they will not be forced to
do so by the effects of the drug."

And an interesting article by a Dr. Karl on the
Australian Broadcasting Company's website:

<http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s1147613.htm>

"But there's a catch. There is no drug that will relax a person's
defences so that they will happily and reliably reveal the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth."

He goes on about the history of "truth serums", discussing
scopolamine and MK_Ultra's experiments, hallucinogens, and
so on.

This pretty much sums things up though:

"All that a "truth serum" will do is probably loosen a person's
tongue. But there's absolutely no guarantee of truth. The only
guarantee is just a distorted peek into somebody's drug-crazed
subconscious."

Aside from the movies, what source can you come up with
that there is such a thing as a "truth serum"? The idea
seems ludicrous to me, and, in any case, "there is no such
thing as a truth serum" is not a controversial claim.

"Anticorporation" <anticorporation@absurdity.com> wrote in message
news:Fn4qd.64556$hN1.30497@twister.socal.rr.com...
: *Truth* syrium. I myself prefer acknowledged scientific methods of
: torture on the corrupt corporate benefactors. Stuff involving pliers
and
: blow-torches. I honestly do not think they are even capable of telling
the
: truth because they have no fucking idea what it is anymore. So, at
least
: with my way vengence will be achieved, as well as a good video for my
: collection.
:
:
: "Wordsmith" <wordsmith@rocketmail.com> wrote in message
: news:cddcc385.0411270842.3deda967@posting.google.com...
: > "formerly known as 'cat arranger'" <goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM@hotmail.com>
: > wrote in message news:<etVpd.360578$a85.332810@fed1read04>...
: >> Sodium pentathol.
: >
: > Wha?
: >
: > W
:
:

So that means that you are a big proponent for big business?
Your stand isn't clear.