What really happens when someone inhales chloroform? Can it kill you? How long do its effects last? How do you revive somebody rendered …
Well, it has an anesthetic effect, but, from the Wiki:
Also, in case this is a need answer fast question:
Yes it can easily kill you. Effects don’t last long, usually a few minutes or so after the chloroform source is removed, so revival isn’t usually an issue. Remove the chloroform, and the person wakes up. Unless you’ve killed them with it. Then they won’t wake up.
It’s interesting how TV and movies influence our understanding of how stuff works. Based on the movies you would think Chloroform was a quick acting, long lasting, but temporary anesthetic. Turns out to be just the opposite.
Is there an actual compound that works the way Chloroform works in the movies? I doubt it, or they would be using that instead of Chloroform.
So what does an up and coming criminal do when he or she needs to render someone unconscious? Chloroform doesn’t work, karate chop to the neck, sock to the jaw, or a bonk on the ol’ noggin doesn’t work. What does?
Apparently scopolamine is an effective criminal tool: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/09/02/devils_breath_could_be_worlds_scariest_drug.html
The drug scopolamine is also known as “the devil’s breath” or “burundanga.” The late salsa diva Celia Cruz sang about it. In a recent documentary, Vice called it “the world’s scariest drug.”
That’s because scopolamine provides a potent weapon to Colombian criminals. The drug puts people into a zombie-like state in which they lose both their memory and free will and can be convinced to empty their bank accounts or hand over the keys to their apartments and cars.