Versed is a strong benzodiazepine. This is the same family as valium, ativan, temazepam, and many others. Dosage and how the drug is administered has a lot to do with how people react to it. Versed is usually administer IV (a shot). Truly it impairs short term memory in most people. For most surgical procedures it is very safe and far, far safer than a general anesthesia of any kind.

As for the idea that versed can be used to block prisoner memories of torture, well I am missing the logic. Versed is a painkiller used normally very sucessfully for some rather invasive surgical procedures. So to follow the logic, you want to torture a prisoner and you give them an anesthetic first? Believe me, you could remove a finger on verced and prisoner would not feel it, much less tell you the information you want to know because he is in no pain when on versed. Sorry, just does not make sense. I use versed daily. I am pleased to get away from general anesthetics, where there is much risk.