Sodium pentathol

Sodium pentathol is a drug which lowers the inhibitions of those with whom it is injected. This makes it difficult for a person under its influence to lie coherently. It is the closest real-life equivalent to the frequent fiction plot device of truth serum.

In 1943, US Army surgeon Dr. Leonard O'Doull administered sodium pentathol to Confederate quartermaster colonel Travis W. W. Oliphant when Oliphant, a POW, was interrogated by US Army Intelligence.