The idea of using a truth serum in an interrogation has always been pretty intriguing. If you're no stranger to spy movies, you've probably wondered if such a drug exists. So is Mr and Mrs Smith's sodium thiopental a real truth serum? Here's what we know.
What is Mr and Mrs Smith's Sodium Thiopental aka Truth Serum?
In episode two of Mr and Mrs Smith TV series, John (played by Donald Glover) and Jane Smith (played by Maya Erskine) are instructed to give Eric Shane (played by John Turturro) a dose of truth serum aka sodium thiopental.
The two, however, give the wealthy property developer a couple of doses, which turn out to be fatal. Before his death, Shane reveals some secrets to the pair.
In the last part of the episode, the two also get injected with truth serum, which leads them to tell each other the truth about how they feel.
But what is the sodium thiopental serum used in Mr and Mrs Smith? Here's what we know.
What is Sodium Thiopental? Is it Real?
Sodium Thiopental is a drug that was developed in the 1930s as a barbiturate. Its purpose was to help treat convulsions induce general anesthesia, and reduce intracranial pressure. It also helped make people go to sleep.
As a barbiturate, the drug has the same effect as alcohol on the brain. By drinking alcohol, your thought processes slow down. This makes it hard to think and also causes a reduction in your inhibitions.
But on the topic of whether it can make people tell the truth, it's not entirely the case. In fact, a BBC journalist experimented with the drug and took a low dose together with a supervising doctor.
While drugged, the journalist, Michael Moseley, was able to lie about his profession and continued to do so.
When the dosage was increased lightly, Moseley was already eager to tell the truth and no longer stuck to his previous story. But as he talked with experts, the drug doesn't really make you say the truth.
Instead, it interferes with your cortex, which is the part of your brain that makes the decisions. Since the drug makes you want to talk, you'll have less control over what comes out of your mouth.
Too much of the drug, however, can be fatal. One of its victims was Marilyn Monroe, who died from acute barbiturate poisoning, which is similar to sodium pentothal.
Is There a Real Truth Serum?
There has not been any real-life drug powerful enough to make humans lie. Although sodium thiopental, as featured in Mr and Mrs Smith makes you talk, it makes it hard to do high-functioning tasks, aka keep up a lie.
And besides, there's still no way to fully determine whether a person is telling the truth.
Even if a truth serum is available, it still won't be useful. In fact, truth serum drugs are considered illegal under specific instances, including an interrogation.
So while the use of a truth serum in an espionage movie can be exciting, there isn't one drug that can do this yet.
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