Amobarbital

/ˌæmoʊˈbɑrbɪˌtɑl/ noun

Definition

A barbiturate drug (a type of sedative medication) that was historically used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

Etymology

From 'amyl' (a chemical group) plus 'barbiturate' (a class of sedative drugs derived from barbituric acid). This drug was synthesized in the mid-20th century as chemists developed modified barbiturate compounds.

Kelly Says

Amobarbital was one of the 'truth serum' drugs that were infamously used (often unethically) in interrogations because it supposedly lowered inhibitions, but it actually just makes people drowsy and confused—not a reliable way to extract truth.

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