zz1fk@sdccsu3.UUCP (04/12/84)
Does anybody know whether scopalamine was used as a truth serum during WWII? More recently it has been used as a hypnotic. Iseem to remember somewhere that it produced LSD-like effects in large doses, and that this is what caused it to be used as truth drug. My psychopharmacology prof. mentioned it because of it's sleep inducing properties, but didn't mention anything else. Please reply by mail or to net.misc. Thanks in advance- -- fritzz the Zebra- "Gee, you look funny behind bars..."
fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell) (04/13/84)
Yes, scopolamine (a belladonna derivative) was used by the Germans as
a 'truth serum' during WWII. It has been supplanted by sodium pentathol,
a more potent drug.
Belladonna alkaloids in sub-lethal doses produce very unpleasent hallucinogenic
effects. The Mafia purportedly marketed belladonna as LSD in the '60s; it
was subsequently dubbed a "horror drug," because the users has such awful
hallucinations as being covered head to toe by large black spiders.
Scopolamine itself has hypnotic properies at lower doses, and for a time
was used in over-the-counter sleeping pills. It is still used in
"Contac."
--
Bob Fishell
ihnp4!ihu1g!fishsanders@menlo70.UUCP (Rex Sanders) (04/14/84)
I think scopalamine is also being used in anti-seasickness patches worn behind the ear. The drug(s) in the patch slowly move through the skin for a long-term, bu low-level dose.