The word "oblivion" itself means the state of being completely forgotten or unaware, a state of mind that has inspired the names of both real and imagined substances over the decades. This article separates fact from fiction by examining the real, historical sedative that once used this name, and the fictional drugs that have since co-opted the term.
The Historical Sedative: Oblivon Elixir (Methylpentynol)
In the mid-20th century, a sedative named Oblivon was a real, albeit short-lived, pharmaceutical product. Marketed by British Schering Ltd. during the 1950s and 1960s, Oblivon Elixir was designed for individuals experiencing "nervous tension or excitement" that prevented sleep. The trade name itself was a deliberate play on the word "oblivion," referring to the hoped-for state of forgetfulness or unawareness the drug was intended to induce.
Oblivon's active ingredient was Methylpentynol, a tertiary pentynol with hypnotic, sedative, and anticonvulsant properties. The drug gained a reputation for calming anxiety, particularly for those facing stressful "ordeals" such as a trip to the dentist. However, Methylpentynol had a significant drawback: an exceptionally low therapeutic index. This meant the gap between an effective dose and a toxic or lethal dose was very narrow, making it unsafe for widespread use. Due to its unfavorable safety profile compared to newer drugs, Oblivon was completely withdrawn from the market in the United Kingdom by 1967.
The Fictional Narcotic: Skooma in The Elder Scrolls
For many online searches concerning "the drug Oblivion," the results are often linked to the massively popular video game series The Elder Scrolls. Within this fantasy universe, particularly in the installment The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the addictive narcotic is not named Oblivion but is called Skooma.
Skooma is a hallucinatory drug refined from a substance called moon sugar. Its in-game effects vary across different installments, but generally involve a temporary boost to physical attributes like speed and strength, accompanied by potentially damaging side effects like lethargy, confusion, or permanent decreases to intelligence. Skooma is highly addictive and a central part of a thriving, dangerous black market within the game's lore. The confusion arises because the drug is a prominent feature within the specific game named Oblivion.
Fictional Drugs and the Theme of Oblivion
The concept of a drug that erases memory or consciousness is a common trope in science fiction and fantasy, and other works have incorporated a similar theme. A resource for the tabletop role-playing game Pathfinder (d20PFSRD) describes a fictional drug named "Oblivion." This version is a highly addictive, less-pure form of another substance and, most notably, can cause users to lose memories of the hours preceding its use, echoing the literal meaning of the word.
Similarly, a quest in the video game Mass Effect: Andromeda involves a beneficial medication sought by a doctor, called the "Oblivion Formula". Unlike the memory-wiping substance in Pathfinder or the hallucinogen in The Elder Scrolls, this formula serves a therapeutic purpose within the game's narrative. However, the use of the name again points to the theme of transcending a previous state of being, in this case, by curing a disease.
Finally, the 2013 film Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise, is a post-apocalyptic science fiction story that deals with memory, cloning, and identity. Despite the film's title, no specific drug named Oblivion is featured. However, thematic elements relating to forced forgetfulness and being unaware of the true state of the world resonate strongly with the concept, possibly leading to some of the persistent confusion.
Comparison of Real vs. Fictional 'Oblivion' Drugs
| Aspect | Historical Drug: Oblivon Elixir | Fictional Drug: Skooma (Elder Scrolls) | Fictional Drug: 'Oblivion' (d20PFSRD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real or Fictional? | Real (but discontinued) | Fictional | Fictional |
| Active Ingredient | Methylpentynol | Moon Sugar | Unknown |
| Primary Effect | Sedation, anxiety relief | Hallucinogenic high, temporary stat changes | Memory loss |
| Discontinuation | Yes, due to low therapeutic index in 1967 | Not applicable (fictional) | Not applicable (fictional) |
| Context | Pharmaceutical history, UK | Video game series (The Elder Scrolls) | Tabletop RPG |
| Addiction | Potential for dependence | Highly addictive | Highly addictive |
| Modern Search Trigger | Often confused with fictional drugs | Searches related to the game Oblivion | Niche searches within specific gaming communities |
Understanding the Thematic Appeal of 'Oblivion'
The repeated use of the term "oblivion" to describe drugs or their effects, whether in real history or fictional universes, points to a deeper human fascination with altered states of consciousness and memory. The historical sedative Oblivon offered temporary forgetfulness from nervous tension, while fictional concoctions like those in the Elder Scrolls and Pathfinder explore more extreme scenarios of mental escape or control. This linguistic choice underscores a cultural preoccupation with forgetting, escaping reality, or altering perception, making it a compelling, if ambiguous, name for both real and imagined substances.
Conclusion
To answer the question, "What is the drug Oblivion?" requires distinguishing between a discontinued historical sedative, a fictional narcotic from a popular video game, and other themed creations in media. The real drug, Oblivon, contained methylpentynol and was withdrawn decades ago due to safety concerns. The fantasy drug most people associate with the game Oblivion is actually Skooma, and other fictional versions exist in different contexts. Ultimately, the term has more meaning in the realm of fiction and history than in modern pharmacology.
