Truth Serum Trials: 1943

          In 1943, the U.S. developed an interest in creating a truth serum. This interest arose with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) experimenting on a "truth drug" to induce "uninhibited truthfulness" during interrogations, notably Project CHATTER (1947-1953) by the U.S. Navy. The overall goal was to identify and test these serums for use on Soviet spies. Chemicals tested included mescaline and scopolamine. 

          In 1950, the CIA launched Project Bluebird (later renamed Project Artichoke), directed by Army General Paul F. Gaynor. Its goal was to cultivate interrogation techniques to control subjects and prevent the extraction of information from CIA agents. Methods included hypnosis, forced morphine addiction and withdrawal, and the use of psychoactive substances such as LSD, heroin, and cocaine. 

          Project BLUEBIRD dosed over 7,000 U.S. military personnel with LSD without their knowledge or consent, resulting in long-term health issues such as depression and epilepsy, with many attempting suicide. The test subjects were treated unfairly and exploited for the purposes of unethical experimentation. The consequences were extreme, and there was little compensation for those who were victims of the truth serum.

          It is important to consider these perspectives, as there were undoubtedly feelings of fear and psychological distress. The drugs induced strong effects that are not sustainable for the average person. 

          Today, the U.S. still conducts projects and research revolving around human involvement, but this work takes on a more ethical form due to learning from a problematic past that has led to poor outcomes. There is no excuse for taking advantage of power and putting ordinary humans in such dangerous conditions. 

          Establishing strict regulation and oversight before conducting any experiments is crucial. To prevent subjects from facing the same fate as those who were included in project BLUEBIRD, the government can provide access to professional treatment or counseling in case participants feel compelled to resort to extreme measures if any unanticipated issues or symptoms arise.

 

Sources

​

Project bluebird. (n.d.). https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP83-01042R000800010003-1.pdf 

 

CIA Special Research Project Bluebird 1952: Public intelligence. Public Intelligence |. (2012, July 29). https://publicintelligence.net/cia-bluebird/ 

 

Stranger than fiction. Science History Institute. (2023, June 2). https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/stranger-than-fiction/