Tag: Datura

According to U.S. Poison Centers, there are between 8,000 and 10,000 exposures to anticholinergic substances annually. A primary example of an anticholinergic poison is **atropine**, a naturally occurring tropane alkaloid derived from toxic plants like *Atropa belladonna*, or deadly nightshade.

Over 200 people were hospitalized in a 2019 outbreak in Uganda after accidentally ingesting food contaminated with Datura seeds, underscoring its profound toxicity. This makes it critical to understand that, despite being misused for its psychoactive properties, **is Datura a cannabinoid?** is a question with a clear answer: it is not, and it operates on an entirely different and far more dangerous neurological system.

While it is difficult to definitively say what drug has the most hallucinations, substances known as deliriants often produce the most profound and frightening false perceptions. Unlike classic psychedelics, which may induce vivid visuals and altered thoughts with some insight, deliriants cause a state of delirium, where users cannot distinguish fantasy from reality.

Datura, also known as jimsonweed or devil's trumpet, is a plant containing potent and highly toxic anticholinergic alkaloids like atropine and scopolamine. Overdose can lead to a range of severe symptoms requiring immediate medical attention, with the specific antidote for severe anticholinergic effects being physostigmine. However, the approach to managing Datura poisoning is comprehensive and depends heavily on the severity of the patient's condition.