Jimson

Friedman M (2004), Analysis of biologically active compounds in potatoes (Solanun tuberosum), tomatoes (Lycopersicumesculentum), and jimson weed (Datura stramonium) seeds , J Chromatogr A, 1054, 143-155. 

Anticholinergics are rarely used. One wonders why they are used at all, for in most cases, the experience is unpleasant or frightening. Still, stories are told of people who separate scopolamine and other anticholinergics from cold remedies, or people who use jimson weed, and of those who abuse prescription anticholinergics, such as amitryptyline, trihexyphenidyl, or benztropine mesylate. One can only assume that for some people, any alteration of consciousness, even though it may not be pleasant, is desirable. 

Cocaine has structural and pharmacological similarities to the active constituents of belladonna and jimson weed and can likewise space you out in very undesirable ways, expecially if used frequently. Also, as with every drug, some people are very sensitive to it and can become paranoid, etc. with very little exposure. Cocaine base ( free base ) is much more euphorigenic than cocaine and consequently much more damaging. It seems to have the addictive pull of heroin for many users and is probably best avoided. 

Other plants of the nightshade family, including Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade), Hyoscyamus niger (black henbane), and Datura stramonium (Jimson weed), contain atropine-like toxins that are anticholinergic, blocking the muscarinic receptors. An incidence in southern Utah of cattle poisoned on black henbane, with many death losses, was recently reported (Pfister, 2003). Atropine and atropine-like alkaloids are discussed Section 2.2.1.7. 

Species of Datura, Hyoscyamus and other tropane-containing genera are of more risk to humans than animals. These plants and their seeds have been used for religious or social functions with ritualistic emphasis. Numerous cases of bizarre and often aggressive behavior have been reported in people using seeds or teas from these plants (Burrows and Tyrl, 2002). As recently as October of 2003, a report appeared at CNN.com of four teenagers who ate Jimson weed seeds. All hallucinated and had to be hospitalized. Two were sedated and placed on life-support to prevent danger to themselves and others. The same press release reported that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... 

Jimson weed Many, including delirium, blurred vision, dry mouth, elevated body temperature... 

Jimson Weed is a natural source of atropine, and is sometimes deliberately... 

A. Alkaloids 1. Belladonna-type solanaceous tropane alkaloids [Atropine (1), (—)-Hyoscyamine (2), Scopolamine ((—)-Hysoscine)(3)] Atropa belladonna L. (belladonna), Datura metel L., D. stramonium L. (jimson weed), Hyoscyamus niger L. (henbane), Mandragora officinarum L. (European mandrake), and other solanaceous species Anticholinergics (parasympatholytics)... 

Jimson weed is the common name of one plant in a family of plants recognized since ancient times for their interesting effects on the nervous system. The deadly... 

MMWR (1995) Jimson weed poisoning - Texas, New York, and California,... 

Scopalamine Alkaloid Motion sickness Datura stramonium (Jimson weed)... 

Dugan, G. M., Gumbmann, M. R., Friedman, M. (1989). Toxicological evaluation of jimson weed Datura... 

Friedman, M., Levin, C. E. (1989). Composition of Jimson weed Datura stramonium) seeds. J. Agric. Food Chem., 37, 998-1005. 

Atropine and scopolamine are alkaloids produced by members of the plant family Solanaceae which includes belladonna Atropa belladonna -source of atropine), henbane Hyoscyamius niger- the source of scopolamine), tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, eggplant, and members of the Datura subfamily or genus, thornapple, Jimson or Jamestown weed, angel s trumpet, stinkweed, mandrake, and devil s apple. In the eatable plants it is the green portions which are poisonous vines, leaves, and sprouts. 

Jimson weed contains the naturally occurring compounds atropine and scopolamine, which can interfere with the activity of the nervous system by blocking the action of a key chemical known as acetylcholine. This interference can produce hallucinations. Ingestion of the plant can also cause dilation of the pupils, blurred vision, rapid heart beat, reduction of salivation, as well as sedation and all of these effects are potentially useful in the practice of medicine. Consequently, by the early 1800s people the world over were buying Jimson weed from their local apothecaries. This included the citizens of Mecca. 

Most cases don t involve criminal activity the poisonings can be attributed to the allure of the drug high. Teenagers have discovered that ingesting Jimson weed seeds or drinking tea brewed from the plant can induce a state of euphoria accompanied by hallucinations. A few have also discovered another possible effect of this practice. 

Fortunately, there is some fascinating pharmacology to take from the voodoo death legends. Most legends talk about a zombie cucumber that was a potion containing extracts from the jimson weed, Datura stramonium, which would contain scopolamine. How would scopolamine help the victim of a zombie curse Scopolamine would reduce the influence of the... 

The atropine series contains a number of very closely allied alkaloids of which the chief are atropine, hyoscyamine, and hyoscine (also called scopolamine). They are found in the roots and leaves of many plants of the Solanaceae, notably belladonna (Atropa belladonna), henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), the thorn apple or jimson weed (Datura stramonium), and some members of the Duboisia and Scopolia genera. These plants were used during the Middle Ages as sorcerer s drugs and have been smoked, chewed, or imbibed in the form of decoctions by primitive people for the hallucinations and frenzy they produce (Figure 14.1). 

Supplier Seeds, RCS. Other similar species include D. fastuosa, D. metel, D. meteloides (toloachi), D. stramonium (jimson weed). See also tree daturas, atropine, scopolamine. 

The family Solanaceae, made up of more than 2,400 species, is especially noteworthy. Many of its members contain the alkaloids atropine (dl-hyoscyamine) and scopolamine (hyosdne). Atropine shows up in mandrake root, henbane and thorn apple it constitutes just over 4.5 percent of the asthmatic preparation called Asthmador. Schultes and Hofmann claim that there are no reports on the effects of atropine alone "which could explain the addition of belladonna as an ingredient of magic brews in medieval Europe. But Hoffer and Osmond recall several historical incidents that attest to its psychoactivity. One story involved a family of five who in 1963 ate tomato plants that had been grafted onto jimson weed, producing 6.36 mg. of atropine per tomato "All five developed deliroid reactions of varying intensity and some had to be treated in the hospital several days. This seems to be the first known instance of hallucinogenic tomatoes. ... 

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