Have you ever heard of a drug called scopolamine? This drug, also known as “devil’s breath,” has been used for centuries. It’s sometimes prescribed to people who struggle with motion sickness or to people who experience post-operative nausea and vomiting. It is very effective at calming the stomach and in that way, it can be a great help to people who don’t feel well. However, this drug can also be used recreationally and as a result, it can be abused and can be addictive for some. It can also be used to drug people to make them more vulnerable to sexual assault. Read on to learn more about scopolamine.
What is Scopolamine?
Scopolamine is derived from plants in the nightshade family and, historically, it was used as a sedative. It was first written about in 1881 and the first documented medical use of it as an anesthetic was in 1900. Today, this drug is used in both natural and synthetic forms in medical settings as an anesthetic, to treat motion sickness, to treat postoperative nausea and vomiting, and sometimes to decrease saliva production before surgery. It works by blocking some neurotransmitters in the nervous system.
This drug is administered orally or thought a transdermal patch on most cases, but sometimes it is injected as well. When injected, it takes about twenty minutes to begin working and its effects can last up to eight hours.
Scopolamine Effects
This drug can be helpful to many but it also comes with some adverse effects. Side effects of scopolamine include dry mouth, a reduced ability to sweat, increased heart rate, reduced heart rate, hives, and itching. In rare instances, it can also cause constipation, urinary retention, hallucinations, agitation, confusion, restlessness, and even seizures.
Further, in some cases, ingestion of this drug can lead to anaphylactic shock in those allergic to it, shortness of breath, rash, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, and sleepiness. In rare cases, use of this drug can even result in death.
Scopolamine is sometimes used as a party drug. People who use this drug on a recreational basis do so because it can create a feeling of pleasure and euphoria for a short time.
Some people use this drug to render potential victims of sexual assault unconscious or even just to make them unable to fight back against their advances. In this way, scopolamine is similar to other date rape drugs like Rohypnol and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). People who are given scopolamine unknowingly may become confused and disoriented, and in turn may become easily manipulated. They may forget what has happened to them after being drugged. In some cases, scopolamine can cause someone to remain unconscious for a period of up to 24 hours. It’s due to these effects that this drug has earned the nickname “devil’s breath.”
Signs of Scopolamine Abuse
It seems surprising that some people choose to use this drug on a recreational basis, but, again, some are drawn to the feelings of pleasure and euphoria that it can bring. Individuals using this drug recreationally may soon find that they develop a tolerance, and as a result, they may take more and more each time to experience the same high. They may find that they crave the drug even after using it for just a short time.
People who develop a dependency or addiction to scopolamine may hide their addiction to this drug well. However, others may demonstrate changes in behavior and may seem aggressive or paranoid. Over time, they may also exhibit physical changes like weight loss or insomnia, or they may experience psychological changes like anxiety or depression.
Scopolamine Overdose
Scopolamine overdose is possible; fortunately, it can be treated. Initially, scopolamine overdose is treated by inducing vomiting, and if that is ineffective, then stomach pumping can also help. A drug called physostigmine can also be prescribed; it is a drug that can sometimes work as an antidote as it counteracts the central nervous depression effects caused by scopolamine.
Due to the central nervous system depressant effects of scopolamine, combining scopolamine and alcohol can increase the chances of a negative reaction from the drug.
People who experience a scopolamine overdose may have blurred vision, drowsiness, hallucinations, and urinary retention. They may also have difficulty breathing and may present with arrhythmia or tachycardia as well. In all cases, scopolamine overdose can be dangerous. If left unaddressed, individuals overdosing on scopolamine may experience seizures, or their overdose may even result in death.
Scopolamine Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms may include issues like vomiting and sweating when they are unable to find the drug to use. People seeking this drug may engage in risky behavior to get their hands on this drug to relieve the withdrawal symptoms they are experiencing. Scopolamine withdrawal can be very intense for regular users.
Treatment and Recovery
Fortunately, for dependency and addiction to scopolamine, there is help available. An addiction to scopolamine is treatable just like any other addiction and recovery is possible. At Transcend Clinic, we help people break free from their addictions; our innovative ibogaine therapy treatment is a powerful way for people who struggle with substance use disorder to discover the roots of their addictions. This treatment is available at our facility in Cancun, Mexico. People who visit us at our facility will receive intensive, personal care under medical supervision. We are standing by to help you, and we can’t wait to meet you. Let us help you take the first steps on your path to recovery. At Transcend Clinic, we can help you. Contact us today.