Scopolamine, called the "devil's breath", is a tropane alkaloid that occurs in nature, among others in in the leaves of Datura and Black Hen. It is an antagonist of central and peripheral muscarinic smooth muscle receptors. How does scopolamine work and what is it used for?

Contents:

  1. Scopolamine - how does it work?
  2. Scopolamine and the treatment of smooth muscle spasms
  3. Scopolamine - side effects
  4. Scopolamina, or "truth serum"?
  5. Scopolamina - "devil's breath"
  6. Scopolamine - how to avoid poisoning?
  7. Scopolamine and pregnancy and breastfeeding

Scopolamineis a highly toxic substance, which is also used in medicine. It is a tropane alkaloid found in many plants. It can be found, for example, in patches that reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. It is also sometimes called "truth serum" - why?

Scopolamine - how does it work?

Scopolamine reduces smooth muscle tension, weakens the gastrointestinal motility and the secretion of gastric juices, inhibits salivation, reduces the amount of bronchial discharge, accelerates the heart rate, and has an antiemetic effect. It also has a dark side.

It has a depressive effect on the CNS, causes excessive sleepiness and memory disorders. In antiquity, it was used by Queen Cleopatra - black henbane extract, containing, among others. hyoscyamine and scopolamine helped to get rid of enemies, and in a diluted version, it made the queen look seductive. Why? Because in a small dose it caused pupil dilation and skin reddening.

In medicine, hyoscine N-butylbromide is also used, which penetrates poorly into body fluids and does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and therefore does not affect the central nervous system.

In the past, tropane alkaloids occurring, inter alia, in in datura (including scopolamine), were used both for medical purposes as a remedy for inflammation, rheumatic diseases (colloquially rheumatism), gout, pains of all origins and digestive system ailments.

They were also used to prepare hallucinogenic decoctions and very effective poisons, for which the black henbane in the hands of Cleopatra became famous.

Scopolamine and the treatment of smooth muscle spasms

Scopolamine is used inmedicine. In oral and rectal forms, it is administered in:

  • spasms of the digestive tract (e.g. intestinal colic, irritable bowel syndrome),
  • in contractions and biliary dyskinesia (e.g. in the hepatic colic),
  • contraction of the urogenital tract (renal colic, menstrual pain).

In parenteral form, it is given in the case of:

  • acute contractions of the gastrointestinal tract (spasms of the esophagus, cardia and pylorus, systolic constipation, hyperactive biliary dyskinesia),
  • inflammation or ulceration of the stomach and duodenum (e.g. biliary colic; acute contractile conditions of the urinary tract, especially in the course of nephrolithiasis, renal colic, painful pressure on the bladder),
  • as an aid in radiological diagnostics of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract and after surgical procedures;
  • in obstetrics and gynecology (in spasms of the birth canal during childbirth, in puerperal uterine inflammation, in the removal of the placenta, in order to relieve painful menstruation, and also as an aid during the initial stage of abortion).

It is also used in cancer chemotherapy as a means of relieving nausea and vomiting.

Scopolamine - side effects

Scopolamine can cause side effects. Their type and intensity depends on the administered dose, the general condition of the patient, concomitant diseases and other preparations taken at the same time. The most common ones include:

  • headaches,
  • like unfounded fear and anxiety,
  • orthostatic hypotension,
  • pupil dilation, blurred vision, amblyopia,
  • narrow-angle glaucoma,
  • confusion,
  • hallucinations,
  • memory impairment,
  • heart rhythm disturbance,
  • muscle weakness.

Side effects such as persistent headaches and dilated pupils may persist for several weeks after taking scopolamine. In addition, in people under the influence of scopolamine (especially high doses), irritation, timidity, but also amusement and euphoria are observed, there are intellectual dysfunctions, especially memory, disturbances in perception of the environment and sense of time, disorientation.

The proper assessment of the situation is also disturbed. A significant overdose can lead to delirium and even death.

Scopolamina, or "truth serum"?

In 1922, a Texas physician, Robert House, drew attention to the possible use of scopolamine during theinterrogating suspects of committing various types of crimes. The experiments carried out at that time quickly confirmed his theory.

People exposed to scopolamine declared their willingness to answer every question without the slightest resistance, while their mind focused only on true facts, and the answers were surprisingly honest. People who have been administered scopolamine are also susceptible to any instructions.

In media descriptions of experiments conducted by R. House, the term "truth serum" began to be used, which over time was even accepted by the discoverer himself.

The properties of the drug were quickly used during police interrogations. And in the 1950s and 1960s, the "truth serum" aroused great interest in the context of the ongoing Cold War.

Scopolamine extracts were administered to people who were expected to obtain relevant information. However, after some time it was noticed that scopolamine could unfortunately cause lynching side effects, so it was officially banned from use for non-medicinal purposes.

Scopolamina - "devil's breath"

Scopolamine is used for criminal purposes - to take control over people. Hence its other term - "devil's breath". There are known cases of extorting money to the police. It should be noted that crime victims under the influence of scopolamine experience periodic amnesia, which complicates the investigation.

Since scopolamine has no flavor or smell, it can be intentionally added to any food product - chewing gum, chocolate, coffee, juice, alcohol, etc. People can be deceived even by allowing the perpetrator to apply the cream to their skin. Another way of administering scopolamine may be our respiratory system, it is enough, for example, to administer this substance in a perfume or in a cigarette.

Scopolamine - how to avoid poisoning?

Due to the fact that scopolamine is very easily absorbed into the human body, be careful and watch out for too generous strangers.

Scopolamine and pregnancy and breastfeeding

At the moment, there are no reliable studies confirming the safety of the preparation during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Nobody simply undertakes such research in humans. Therefore, the preparation should not be used during pregnancy, unless it is absolutely necessary.

If necessary, take it according to the doctor's recommendations and under his constant supervision, and immediately report any disturbing symptoms.

This is interesting…

Plantscontaining scopolamine in their composition were used for many centuries by South American Indians during numerous rituals, incl. during the young men's initiation ceremonies.

And in ancient times it was believed that their consumption brings on a person the gift of prophecy and clairvoyance.

Historical records indicate that the properties of this toxic alkaloid were also used to bury the concubines of Colombian rulers alive, who, after consuming scopolamine, entered the tomb chamber without resistance to accompany their deceased husband to the afterlife.

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