thiopental

n. an ultrashort-acting barbiturate used primarily as an anesthetic that can be administered intravenously to produce almost immediate loss of consciousness. It may also be used as an antidote for an overdose of stimulants or convulsants. At one time, it was occasionally used in psychotherapy to induce a state of relaxation and suggestibility. In nonmedical circles, it gained notoriety as a truth serum. U.S. trade name: Pentothal.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

health–belief model

a model that identifies the relationships of the following issues to the likelihood of taking preventive health action: (a) individual perceptions about susceptibility to and seriousness of a disease, (b) sociodemographic variables, (c) environmental cues, and (d) perceptions of the benefits and costs. See also exercise–behavior model.