SODIUM PENTOTHAL

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00144759
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 22, 2024
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: November 21, 1952

Office Memorandum
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� UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT -
TO (;'. Chief Administration & Logistics DATE: 21 November 1952
Division Logistics
SUDJECT: Sodium Pentothal
1. Below is information requested concerning the possible methods of
neutralizing the effects of Sodium Pentothal.
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17
2. The class of drugs known as the "Central Nervous System Stimulates"
will, to a limited extent, counter-act the effects of Sodium Pentothal.
Some of these are: Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Picrotoxin, Caffeine Sodium
Benzoate, and Strychnine. These drugs have, however, certain limitations
which more or less preclude their successful application in clandestine
type activities. Such limitations are as follows:
a. They must be administered just before or just after receiving
Sodium Pentothal. This would be difficult to accomplish as it is
doubtful that the agent would have the necessary beforehand knowledge
of his treatment nor would he be allowed to administer himself during
treatment.
b. Such drugs would have to be secreted on the person and adminis-
tered (such as pills) externally. It is believed that a thorough
search of the agent would disclose any such secreted drugs.
c. A physician administering Sodium Pentothal would continue to
inject Sodium Pentothal until the patient evidenced the desired re-
action; therefore, it would not be possible for the agent to consume
enought Central Nervous System Stimulates to neutralize an excessive
amount of Sodium Pentothal and still remain alive.
3. Modern psychiatry regularly employs in therapy such tools as
narcosynthysis which involves the use of truth serums such as Sodium
Pentothal and Sodium Ametol. Use of these drugs in psychiatric treatment
is limited as they mereiy enable the physician and patient to explore
more easily materiel in the forgotten unconscious of the patient; such
treatment is usually long term therapy. Further, many psychiatrists and
criminologists have reported value received from the use of truth serums
as often negative. The reason for this is that if the subject has
exceptionally strong inhibitions concerning certain material, truth
serums are not powerful enough to cause him to divulge the inhibited
material. In view of the forgoing, it is believed that if agents were
well versed in their cover. the_saglY_Of_suchsoyer, that.
would be exceedingly difficult to extract sensitive information from
/him while under the influence of truth serums.
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4. It is recommended that the foregoing information not be accepted
as fact, but that'll requirement be presented OTS for a reasaarch project
the problem of neutralizing the effects of truth_Aprums.
f ADCS/MO has indicated his willingness to aid in the
preparation of such a requirement.
5. Your comments are requested concerning paragraph 4 above.
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