Question:easy
Which of the following drugs is used for narcoanalysis?
Which of the following drugs is used for narcoanalysis?
Show Hint
The original truth serum is the antimuscarinic hyoscine.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Atropine
- Phenobarbitone
- Scopolamine
- Pethidine
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The aim of narcoanalysis is to sedate the subject just enough that judgement and inhibition drop but speech remains possible, the so-called truth serum effect. For this you need an agent that produces a quick twilight state.
Scopolamine, also written hyoscine, is the agent in the list that fits. It is an antimuscarinic that crosses into the brain and causes drowsiness, amnesia and a dreamy disinhibited state, which is exactly why it became the original truth serum.
Now eliminate the rest. Atropine is also antimuscarinic but is used clinically to raise heart rate and reverse organophosphate poisoning, not for interrogation. Phenobarbitone is a barbiturate, but it is long acting and is prescribed for seizures; the barbiturates used in narcoanalysis are the short-acting thiopentone and amytal, neither of which is listed. Pethidine is simply a painkiller of the opioid class.
\[\boxed{\text{Scopolamine}}\]
Scopolamine, also written hyoscine, is the agent in the list that fits. It is an antimuscarinic that crosses into the brain and causes drowsiness, amnesia and a dreamy disinhibited state, which is exactly why it became the original truth serum.
Now eliminate the rest. Atropine is also antimuscarinic but is used clinically to raise heart rate and reverse organophosphate poisoning, not for interrogation. Phenobarbitone is a barbiturate, but it is long acting and is prescribed for seizures; the barbiturates used in narcoanalysis are the short-acting thiopentone and amytal, neither of which is listed. Pethidine is simply a painkiller of the opioid class.
\[\boxed{\text{Scopolamine}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0
