Despite its early praise, the "gentlest of poisons" revealed a dark side as it became more widely used throughout the 20th century:
: It was widely used to treat "melancholic" patients and provide a sense of relaxation. barbital
: Users quickly developed a tolerance, needing higher doses to achieve the same effect, which often led to physical dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms. Despite its early praise, the "gentlest of poisons"