Narcoanalysis vs. Narcosynthesis — What's the Difference?

Psychotherapy conducted while the patient is in a sleeplike state induced by barbiturates or other drugs, especially as a means of releasing repressed feelings, thoughts, or memories. Its use is restricted to circumstances where there is a compelling, immediate need for a patient's responses.

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 posttraumatic stress disorder. Narcosynthesis—also called sodium amytal interview, amobarbital interview, or 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.

(medicine) A form of psychotherapy in which the patient is administered drugs in order to attain a sleeplike state.

Narcoanalysis directed toward making the patient recall repressed memories and emotional traumas.

A form of narcoanalysis in which the patient is made to recall repressed memories under hypnosis.