Datura
Datura is a genus of nine species of highly toxic flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).1 Its primary active compounds—scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine—are tropane alkaloids with anticholinergic properties2 that produce prolonged deliriant states3 characterized by vivid, often disturbing hallucinations and amnesia. All parts of the plant are poisonous, and potency varies dramatically between individual specimens, making safe dosing essentially impossible.3 Datura use carries serious risk of fatal overdose.3
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
The tropane alkaloid content in Datura seeds varies substantially, typically ranging from 0.1% to 0.7%, making consistent dosing impossible to achieve. Due to this unpredictable potency, no reliably safe dose can be established, and any consumption presents a significant risk of serious poisoning.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
The physical effects of datura are usually described as extremely uncomfortable. They can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:
Cognitive
The cognitive effects of datura are described by many as generally negative and dysphoric throughout the trip, primarily consisting of extreme paranoia and feelings of impending doom. It is largely confusing and disorienting, often leading to a complete inability to communicate or understand normal language. Datura contains unique cognitive effects found almost exclusively in the deliriant class. The most prominent of these effects include:
Visual
Distortions
As for visual distortions and alterations, effects experienced are detailed below:
Hallucinatory States
Datura is extremely efficient at inducing delirious hallucinations which can be broken into the categories described below:
Suppressions
Datura does not enhance visual stimuli in the way that psychedelics do; instead, it tends to degrade and decrease visual aptitude while increasing hallucinations. These components are detailed below:
Auditory
The auditory effects of datura are common in their occurrence and exhibit a range of effects which commonly includes:
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Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Datura's psychoactive effects are produced by its tropane alkaloid constituents, primarily scopolamine and atropine, which are present in roughly equal amounts.4 Both compounds act as muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists, producing potent anticholinergic effects.51 This anticholinergic activity underlies the characteristic delirium associated with Datura intoxication.16
Pharmacokinetics
Tolerance
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowDatura intoxication is consistently described as extremely unpleasant and is not regarded as recreational. The overwhelming majority of users report severely negative experiences both mentally and physically, and most regret trying the substance immediately.
Toxicity
Acute intoxication typically causes tachycardia and can progress to serious cardiac arrhythmias including wide-complex dysrhythmias; cardiovascular collapse has been reported in severe poisoning cases.7
Brain damage has been documented with severe poisoning. Long-term use of anticholinergic substances including Datura appears to significantly increase the risk of developing dementia.9
Liver damage is listed among the adverse effects of severe Datura intoxication.7
Kidney damage has been reported with severe poisoning.7
Rhabdomyolysis (skeletal muscle breakdown) has been reported in cases of severe intoxication.7
Respiratory depression can occur with Datura intoxication and may contribute to fatal outcomes.7
Hyperthermia is a recognized feature of Datura poisoning and part of the classic anticholinergic syndrome.10
Severe mydriasis with painful photophobia commonly occurs and can persist for several days after intoxication; blurred vision may rarely last for days to weeks.11
Psychosis Risk
Psychosis and delirium are inherent effects of Datura intoxication rather than side effects. Users typically experience complete inability to differentiate reality from fantasy, bizarre thoughts, concrete hallucinations indistinguishable from reality, and possibly violent behavior. The delirium and agitated mental state generally last 24-48 hours but have been reported to persist for two weeks or longer in some cases.7
Seizure Risk
Seizures are documented among the adverse effects of Datura intoxication according to medical literature.7
History & Culture
Etymology
The genus name originates from the Hindi "dhatūra" and Sanskrit "dhattūra," both terms for thorn-apple, with the Sanskrit specifically referencing Datura metel of Asia. The Ayurvedic text Sushruta Samhita records additional Sanskrit names for the genus, including "kanaka" and "unmatta." Mexican…
Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- N. Khoshnam-Rad, M. Heydari, K. Mohammadi, M. Mashayekhi, Z. Sahraei, & K. Gholami. (2022). Datura poisoning in a family: Case series and literature review. https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.6091123
- (2021). Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Datura Species—A Review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8389218/1
- Alicia Minns. (n.d.). Anticholinergic Plants. California Poison Control System. https://calpoison.org/content/anticholinergic-plants123
- Keeler JR, Hurst CG, & Dunn MA. (2019). DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Atropine, Scopolamine, and Other Anticholinergic Deliriant Hallucinogens. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschemneuro.8b006151
- Shim KH, Kang MJ, Sharma N, & An SSA. (2022). Beauty of the beast: anticholinergic tropane alkaloids in therapeutics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-022-00357-w1
- Unknown. (2025). Toxic traditions: Unveiling the psychiatric and neurological dangers of datura poisoning. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12574777/1
- S. D. Trancă, R. Szabo, & M. Cociş. (2017). Acute poisoning due to ingestion of Datura stramonium – a case report. Romanian Journal of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 24(1), 65–68. https://doi.org/10.21454/rjaic.7518.241.szb12345678
- Perry T (editor). (2018). How well do you know your anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) drugs?. Therapeutics Letter. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK598556/123
- Gray, S. L., Anderson, M. L., Dublin, S., Hanlon, J. T., Hubbard, R., Walker, R., Yu, O., Crane, P. K., & Larson, E. B.. (2015). Cumulative use of strong anticholinergics and incident dementia: a prospective cohort study. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(3), 401–407. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.76631
- Goetz, R., Siegel, E., Scaglione, J., Belson, M., & Patel, M.. (2003). Suspected Moonflower Intoxication – Ohio, 2002. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 52(33), 788–791. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5233a2.htm1
- Rahul Soni, & Jayita Debnath. (2024). Stupefying with datura (poisoning): A case report and review of literature. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 18(3), 171–173. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2024.18.3.03431
- (2021-10-22). Oddities & Curiosities: The Colonial Case of the Mysterious Jimson Weed. Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. https://wydaily.com/latest/local/2021/10/22/oddities-curiosities-the-colonial-case-of-the-mysterious-jimson-weed/1
- Bhakta Prasad Gaire, & Lalita Subedi. (2013). A review on the pharmacological and toxicological aspects of ''Datura stramonium'' L. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 11(2), 73–9. https://doi.org/10.3736/jintegrmed20130161
- (1990). "Malang", Sufis, and Mystics: An Ethnographic and Historical Study of Shamanism in Afghanistan. Asian Folklore Studies, 49(2), 294. https://doi.org/10.2307/11780371
- Karsten Fatur. (June 2020). 'Hexing Herbs' in Ethnobotanical Perspective: A Historical Review of the Uses of Anticholinergic Solanaceae Plants in Europe. Economic Botany, 74(2), 140–158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-020-09498-w12
- Grieve, Maud. (1971). A Modern Herbal: The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs, & Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses, Volume 2. 804. https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/t/thorna12.html#des123
- (2009). Pharmacology and Abuse of Cocaine, Amphetamines, Ecstasy and Related Designer Drugs. 217–218. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2448-0_341
- (2025). TRANSDERM SCOP (scopolamine transdermal system) - Full Prescribing Information. Baxter Healthcare Corporation. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b877a694-a1d0-4280-937a-a06820b12a881
- (current). 21 CFR § 1308.11 - Schedule I. Drug Enforcement Administration / U.S. Government. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/1308.111
Further Reading
DoubleBlind Magazine: Sacred Datura Overview
Medscape: Tropane Alkaloid Poisoning Overview
PMC: Long-term Intentional Datura Use Consequences- PMC: Pharmacological Properties of Datura stramonium
- PMC: Tropane Alkaloids Chemistry and Pharmacology
The Third Wave: Guide to Datura
Tripsitter: Datura Risks and Experience
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