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WARNINGDELIRIANTS CAUSE DANGEROUS PSYCHOSIS & ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC
Hallucinations under the influence of deliriants are experienced as genuine reality, blending seamlessly with the external environment. This is in combination with overwhelmingly uncomfortable physical side effects and a complete absence of recreational or therapeutic value.
Datura
Datura is a genus of nine species of highly toxic flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).citation needed Its primary active compounds, scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine, are tropane alkaloids with anticholinergic properties1 that produce prolonged deliriant states2 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.citation needed Datura use carries serious risk of fatal overdose.2
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
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
Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.
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:
See also: Subjective Effects of Deliriants
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Datura's psychoactive effects are produced by its tropane alkaloid constituents, primarily scopolamine and atropine, which are present in roughly equal amounts.citation needed Both compounds act as muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists, producing potent anticholinergic effects.3 This anticholinergic activity underlies the characteristic delirium associated with Datura intoxication.4
Pharmacokinetics
No pharmacokinetic profile has been established for whole-plant Datura preparations. The proportions of atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine vary by species, plant part, age, and growth stage, so measurements from standardized purified drugs cannot predict exposure from seeds, leaves, or extracts.citation needed In six healthy men given 0.4 mg purified scopolamine orally, bioavailability varied from 10.7% to 48.2% and the mean elimination half-life was 4.5 ± 1.7 hours. In a separate small study, five participants given a 0.6 mg oral atropine sulfate tablet had a mean time to peak concentration of 1.9 ± 1.03 hours and a mean terminal half-life of 2.37 ± 0.47 hours.5 Scopolamine distribution is not well characterized, but official labeling states that it crosses the blood-brain barrier, is metabolized and conjugated, and less than 5% of a therapeutic transdermal dose appears unchanged in urine.6 These compound- and formulation-specific observations are not Datura dosing or duration values.
Interactions
An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.
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.citation needed
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.citation needed
Liver damage is listed among the adverse effects of severe Datura intoxication.8
Kidney damage has been reported with severe poisoning.8
Rhabdomyolysis (skeletal muscle breakdown) has been reported in cases of severe intoxication.8
Respiratory depression can occur with Datura intoxication and may contribute to fatal outcomes.citation needed
Hyperthermia is a recognized feature of Datura poisoning and part of the classic anticholinergic syndrome.9
Severe mydriasis with painful photophobia commonly occurs and can persist for several days after intoxication; blurred vision may rarely last for days to weeks.citation needed
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.citation needed
Seizure Risk
Seizures are documented among the adverse effects of Datura intoxication according to medical literature.8
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
International
Datura is not listed under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It is not listed under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It is not listed under the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
By Country
ArgentinaRestricted
ChileRestricted
ChinaRestricted
MexicoRestricted
AustraliaPrescription only
GermanyPrescription only
United StatesNot scheduled
DenmarkNot scheduled
SwitzerlandNot scheduledReferences
Source Pages
Citations
- Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Datura Species—A Review. (2021). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8389218/1
- Alicia Minns. (n.d.). Anticholinergic Plants. California Poison Control System. https://calpoison.org/content/anticholinergic-plants12
- 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
- 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/ccr3.60911
- Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Saliva Flow of Sublingual and Oral Atropine in Clozapine-Treated and Healthy Adults: An Interventional Cross-Over Study. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://doi.org/10.5152/pcp.2022.212211
- TRANSDERM SCOP (scopolamine transdermal system) - Full Prescribing Information. Baxter Healthcare Corporation (2025). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b877a694-a1d0-4280-937a-a06820b12a8812
- Perry T (editor). (2018). How well do you know your anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) drugs?. Therapeutics Letter. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK598556/12
- 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.szb1234
- 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
- M. H. Sidky. (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
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
Article Status
Step 1 · Automated synthesisAn autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.
- Step 2 · First-pass reviewPending
Not yet reviewed — this article is pending editorial review by Lyrea.
- Step 3 · Citation reviewPending
No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.
Recent changes8 human edits · latest
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16 August 2026
Lyrea · Reworded 4 words in History & Culture › Sections 3 › Content
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24 January 2026
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
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