Do "Truth Serums" Work?

Lawyers of alleged al Qaeda operative Jose Padilla have argued that he should not be tried because of questionable interrogation techniques used on him, including the use of truth serums. Ronald D. Miller, MD, professor and chair of anesthesia and perioperative care at UCSF, tells Day to Day host Alex Chadwick there is no "truth serum" or mind-altering drug that induces truth-telling, only drugs like alcohol that lower inhibitions, or low doses of anesthesia that make the patient talk a lot or jabber. "They talk in a way that they probably would not talk had they not had the drugs, but in no way does it mean that they're telling the truth or that they know anything," said Miller. Related Links: Do "Truth Serums" Work? Day to Day, NPR, April 11, 2007