From the Research
No, anesthesia cannot be used as a truth serum. General anesthetics like propofol, sevoflurane, and ketamine are designed to render patients unconscious and unable to form memories during medical procedures, not to elicit truthful information. While some drugs like benzodiazepines (such as midazolam) or barbiturates may cause disinhibition and increased talkativeness in some individuals at sub-anesthetic doses, they do not reliably produce truthful statements. In fact, these substances can impair cognitive function, increase suggestibility, and lead to confabulation—where people create false memories or statements they believe to be true. The concept of a "truth serum" is largely a Hollywood fiction. Even drugs historically misused for interrogation purposes, such as sodium pentothal or scopolamine, do not reliably extract truthful information, as noted in a study published in the Journal of the history of medicine and allied sciences 1.
From a neurophysiological perspective, no drug can selectively inhibit the brain's capacity for deception while preserving accurate memory and communication. Additionally, using anesthetics for non-medical purposes would be dangerous, potentially causing respiratory depression, cardiovascular instability, or even death, and would be considered unethical and illegal in most jurisdictions. The use of anesthetics for interrogation purposes is not supported by scientific evidence, and the risks associated with their use outweigh any potential benefits, as discussed in a review published in Anaesthesia 2.
Some studies have explored the use of local anesthetics and adjuncts to improve the efficacy and duration of nerve blocks, but these techniques are not relevant to the use of anesthesia as a truth serum, as noted in a narrative review published in Anaesthesia 2. The focus of these studies is on improving patient outcomes in medical procedures, not on eliciting truthful information.
In conclusion, the use of anesthesia as a truth serum is not supported by scientific evidence and is not a recommended practice in any medical or legal context. The risks associated with the use of anesthetics for non-medical purposes, including the potential for harm and the lack of reliable evidence, make it clear that anesthesia should not be used as a truth serum.