Narcosynthesis

In the post-World War II era, the technique of narcosynthesis (as it was later called) was developed by psychiatrists as a means of treating patients who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Narcosynthesis — also called sodium amytal interview, amobarbital interview, and amytal interview — uses a technique of free association as well as dream and transference material during the session as a basis for uncovering relevant topics for later therapeutic discussion. In the post-World War II era, the technique of narcosynthesis (as it was later called) was developed by psychiatrists as a means of treating patients who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Narcosynthesis — also called sodium amytal interview, amobarbital interview, and amytal interview — uses a technique of free association as well as dream and transference material during the session as a basis for uncovering relevant topics for later therapeutic discussion. Narcosynthesis (via sodium amytal and pentothal) procedures in the United States are extraordinarily rare today. However, they were widely used in the post-World War II era when only a very few psychiatric treatments were even available. Administered as an inpatient hospital admission and overseen by anesthesiologist - this procedure is only used in the most extreme cases in the United States. Information from outside of the US shows that, in countries such as India, Narcosynthesis has been used for the interrogation of possible suspects in criminal cases. There has also been some use of barbiturate hypnosis therapy in the past.