An Truth Serum That Wasn’t: Scopolamine Myths, Risks & Misuse

Listen now:Click hereto listen from my Causes or Cures website, Apple, Spotify, etc. Disclaimer:Entertainment only. I am not a public vitality historian. I am a gremlin who reads too much and asks weird questions. Once upon a time, a drug from the nightshade family slipped into delivery rooms, interrogation rooms, and urban legends. It promised truth. It delivered confusion, amnesia, and a lot of ethical heartburn. Meet scopolamine—the “truth serum” that wasn’t. *The myth of truth serum and why scopolamine never earned the badge *How “twilight restorative sleep” in childbirth created the legend What scopolamine actually does in human bodies: sedation, amnesia, suggestibility Modern misuse and crime stories, including the burundanga label in parts of South America Real risks and why ethics and consent matter A thought experiment: if a real truth serum existed, would society want it? A sharp, strange, funny tour of medicine, memory, and power, where a drug’s reputation outruns its evidence. If you like history with a side of ethics and a wink, this one is your snack. Also…it’s good to intentional movement your imagination. At the end of this bonus episode, I ask the question, “Do you think truth serum (as in a truth serum that actually works) would be good or bad for society?” I’d love to hear your thoughts on that. Feel free to post them below or email me: erin@bloomingwellness. com. I’m looking forward to reading some creative answers. I list references at the end of the audio. You will find links in the show notes section on the episode page. Was scopolamine ever a true truth serum? No. It can lower inhibitions and create amnesia, but it is unreliable and can produce false memories. What is scopolamine used for today? Commonly for motion sickness and certain GI issues under medical supervision. It is not used as a truth serum. What was “twilight nightly rest”?A historical childbirth practice using morphine and scopolamine that produced sedation and amnesia rather than true body ache relief. Guys, I’m also trying to resurrect my Youtube channel from being hijacked by a chode who turned it into a free-for-all for pirated Indian soap operas I couldn’t pronounce. Some of my favorite Causes or Cures episodes will be posted there, along with my quirky mind-body health and life takes. The truth serum episode is posted, and you can watch it here: Other episodes or blogs you might enjoy: COVID didn’t start the distrust. It made it obvious. Read my takehere. Is this liquid combination the secrety to lifespan wellness? Find out here. As always, thank you to everyone who supports the show and helps keep it independent with a small monthly contribution. I refuse to let a big pharma company or a big holistic well-being company buy the podcast, even if that means turning down lucrative deals. If you’d like to aid the show, or as I like to call it “aid the science-story magic”, you can do sohere. I really appreciate it. You can contact Dr. Eeks atbloomingwellness. com. Follow Eeks onInstagramhere. OrFacebookhere. OrX. OnYoutube. OrTikTok. SUBSCRIBE to her WEEKLY newsletter here!(Now featuring interviews with top experts on well-being you care about!) Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked Comment Name Email Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.