In "Brave New World," what is the substance used to sedate the population?

In "Brave New World," the substance used to sedate the population is soma. This drug plays a crucial role in the dystopian society depicted in the novel, where it is used to maintain social order and ensure the happiness of the citizens. Soma is a hallucinogenic drug that provides feelings of euphoria and is introduced as a way to escape unpleasant emotions or uncomfortable situations, effectively serving as a tool for the state to suppress individuality and critical thought among the population. The use of soma reflects the themes of consumerism and state control, illustrating how the government manipulates its citizens by promoting substance use to preempt any dissent or unhappiness.

Other substances mentioned in the choices do not serve the same societal function as soma does in Huxley’s narrative. Caffeine, alcohol, and marijuana each have their own cultural implications and effects but do not embody the dystopian usage or ideological implications central to the novel's critique of modern society. By presenting soma as a key element of life in the World State, Huxley critiques the lengths to which a society might go to preserve conformity and suppress genuine human experience.