system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: How does sodium pentothal (the "truth serum") work?
gpt
It is a barbiturate, which increases the ability of our GABA receptors to inhibit. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

It is used in lethal injections  and was historically used to induce comas.

It is not a truth serum, no such thing exists. Rather, the sodium pentothal is used to inhibit higher cortical brain functions. Once your inhibitions are hindered, you are more likely to spill the beans, right?

Not quite. It doesn't work perfectly. Alcohol might be more effective. Cheers.