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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.
Scopolamine
6,7-Epoxytropine tropate
Hyoscine, Devil's Breath, Burundanga
Scopolamine is a naturally occurring tropane alkaloid found in plants of the Solanaceae family, including Datura species, where it serves as the primary psychoactive compound. Structurally related to atropine and hyoscyamine, it acts as a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. While medically approved for the prevention of motion sickness and postoperative nauseacitation needed, recreational doses produce intense deliriant hallucinations. Medium to high doses carry significant adverse effects, and extreme caution is strongly advised.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Bioavailability
20-40%
Absorption observations included 0.5 mg administrations, but dose-tier ranges were not available.
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 all of 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. It 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
The effects of Datura are extremely efficient at inducing delirious hallucinations which can be broken into the two categories described below:
Suppressions
Datura does not enhance visual stimuli in the way that psychedelics do; instead they tend to degrade and decrease visual aptitude both increasing hallucination and degrading vision. 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
Scopolamine acts as a non-selective competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors1 (M1 through M5), with relatively weaker inhibition at the M5 subtype. Through this broad antimuscarinic activity, it disrupts parasympathetic signaling in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.1 The hallucinogenic and deliriant properties associated with higher doses are specifically linked to antagonism of postsynaptic M1 receptors; no other muscarinic subtypes have been implicated in these effects.citation needed Scopolamine has also been reported to interact with neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits (alpha-4 and beta-2), though these interactions remain poorly characterized.
Pharmacokinetics
Scopolamine is primarily metabolized in the liver, though its metabolic pathway in humans remains incompletely characterized. CYP3A4 is implicated in oxidative demethylation, as supported by in vitro studies and altered pharmacokinetics observed with grapefruit juice coadministration. The primary metabolites are various glucuronide and sulfide conjugates. Oral bioavailability is low due to substantial first-pass metabolismcitation needed, with estimates ranging from roughly 13% to 20-40%, while intranasal administration achieves considerably higher bioavailability at approximately 83%. Reported elimination half-life values for oral administration vary between roughly 1 hour and an average of 5 hours (range 2-10 hours); intravenous and intramuscular routes show half-lives of approximately 69 minutes. About 2.6% of an oral dose is recovered unchanged in urine.1
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
1,2-BenzodiazepineAbametapirAcetazolamideAcetophenazineAclidinium
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Cross Tolerance
Other anticholinergic/antimuscarinic agents
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowPsychological addiction potential is minimal due to the typically unpleasant nature of the experience. Recreational use is rare as effects are often described as mentally and physically distressing rather than rewarding.
Physical
ModeratePhysical dependence can develop with chronic therapeutic use. Withdrawal symptoms include nausea, dizziness, vomiting, gastrointestinal disturbances, sweating, headaches, bradycardia, hypotension, and various neuropsychiatric manifestations.citation needed Severe symptoms may require medical attention.
Toxicity
Central Nervous System
CNS depression ranging from drowsiness to coma can occur with overdose;2 cognitive impairment and impaired ability to operate machinery are documented effects at therapeutic and higher doses.
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular effects including tachycardia and supraventricular arrhythmias can occur at higher doses;2 bradycardia may follow initial tachycardia or appear during withdrawal.citation needed
Ophthalmologic
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal effects including decreased bowel sounds and constipation can occur;citation needed these effects are typically associated with the anticholinergic mechanism rather than direct toxicity.
Urinary
Urinary retention can occur as an anticholinergic effect, particularly at higher doses or in susceptible individuals.citation needed
Psychosis Risk
Scopolamine is formally classified as a deliriant and can exacerbate psychosis and cause psychiatric reactions including hallucinations, confusion, agitation, and restlessness.citation needed Mass hospitalizations for psychosis have occurred following ingestion of scopolamine-containing substances; more than 20 people were hospitalized with psychosis in Norway in 2008 after ingesting counterfeit tablets containing scopolamine.
Seizure Risk
Seizures and seizure-like activity are documented neuropsychiatric effects but are rare, occurring in less than 0.1% of patients at therapeutic doses.citation needed Convulsions have been reported in overdose cases.2
History & Culture
Traditional and Spiritual Use
Plants naturally containing scopolamine, including Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade), Brugmansia (angel's trumpet), Datura (jimsonweed), Hyoscyamus niger, Mandragora officinarum, Scopolia carniolica, Latua, and Duboisia myoporoides, have been recognized and utilized for various purposes in both…
Legality
International
Scopolamine is not listed in the International Narcotics Control Board schedules for the 1961 Single Convention or the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It is not internationally scheduled under the 1961, 1971, or 1988 conventions.
By Country
Illegal1
United KingdomIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Scopolamine (hyoscine) is not named in the controlled-drug schedules under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, but a non-medicinal preparation that produces a psychoactive effect falls within the United Kingdom's blanket Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 regime. That Act applies to any non-exempted substance capable of producing a psychoactive effect, rather than only to named narcotics. Medicinal products are expressly exempted, and the MHRA publishes a licensed hyoscine hydrobromide injection for pre-operative anticholinergic use; medicinal products are instead subject to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 marketing-authorisation availability categories.
Prescription6
United StatesPrescription onlyScopolamine transdermal system is a prescription medicine for adults to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness and postoperative nausea and vomiting. The FDA-approved labeling states that the product contains scopolamine, which is not a controlled substance; its prescription regulation is therefore distinct from federal narcotics scheduling.
By state
Across the 50 states, D.C., and the permanent territories, most jurisdictions treat Scopolamine consistently with federal control; listed entries record independently verified differences in state classification or coverage.
ArizonaRestrictedArizona designates scopolamine as a dangerous drug rather than merely a prescription-only drug. Knowing possession or use of a dangerous drug is prohibited and is ordinarily classified as a class 4 felony, subject to the statute's stated first-offense disposition provisions. This state dangerous-drug classification creates criminal-law consequences beyond the federal prescription-only status.
IllinoisRestrictedIllinois prohibits ingesting, breathing, inhaling, or drinking a compound, liquid, or chemical containing scopolamine when done to induce intoxication or the other enumerated effects. A violation involving scopolamine is a Class A misdemeanor. The provision regulates the substance's specified intoxicating use even though scopolamine is not federally controlled.
MaineRestricted17-A M.R.S. § 1102(4)(A)39
Maine places all prescription drugs not included in Schedule W, X, or Y in Schedule Z. Scopolamine is therefore a Schedule Z controlled drug when supplied as a prescription drug, rather than merely an unscheduled prescription-only drug.
NebraskaRestrictedNeb. Rev. Stat. § 71-250140
Nebraska expressly classifies scopolamine as a poison under the Poison Control Act. This is a substance-specific state restriction separate from Nebraska's controlled-substances schedules and creates a distinct state legal classification beyond the federal prescription-only status.
AustriaPrescription onlyRezeptpflichtverordnung, BGBl. Nr. 475/1973, zuletzt geändert durch BGBl. II Nr. 282/20257
In Austria, scopolamine (Scopolamin) is listed as prescription-only (RP) in the human-medicines list of the Rezeptpflichtverordnung. This instrument regulates its legitimate supply as a medicine through prescription requirements; it does not classify it under a narcotics schedule.
GermanyPrescription onlyArzneimittelverschreibungsverordnung, Anlage 19
Scopolamin and its salts are listed in Annex 1 to Germany's Prescription Medicine Ordinance. Medicinal products containing the substance may be supplied only on medical prescription, unless an exception in the ordinance applies.
SingaporePrescription onlyHealth Products (Therapeutic Products) Regulations 2016 (current consolidated version as at 28 August 2026), Second Schedule Part 1 (active ingredients in prescription-only medicines); Health Products Act 2007 and Health Products (Active Ingredients) Regulations 2023 (in force 18 December 2023); Poisons Rules (current consolidated version as at 28 August 2026), Poisons List; Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 (current consolidated version as at 28 August 2026).12131415161718192021
Scopolamine is the medicinal compound also called hyoscine; NIH PubChem CID 5184 lists both names as identity synonyms. Singapore's current Therapeutic Products Regulations expressly place Hyoscine in Second Schedule Part 1, headed 'Active ingredients in prescription-only medicines', and HSA defines POM as requiring a doctor's prescription, subject to any product-specific statutory exemption. The Poisons Rules list 'Hyoscine; its quarternary compounds; their salts; except substances containing less than 0.15% of hyoscine', but active ingredients have been regulated under the Health Products Act and its regulations instead of the Poisons Act and Rules since 18 December 2023. HSA's current post-registration list shows cancellation of a different HYOSCINE BUTYLBROMIDE 10 mg tablet on 15 April 2026; it identifies no registered, OTC, or currently available transdermal scopolamine patch. The current Misuse of Drugs Act contains no scopolamine or hyoscine schedule entry, so scopolamine and hyoscine are not designated as controlled drugs under its current schedules.
SpainPrescription onlySpain authorizes escopolamine hydrobromide as the hospital-use medicine Escopolamina B. Braun 0.5 mg/ml injectable solution. The AEMPS CIMA record marks the product as requiring a prescription and for hospital use, while its approved product information indicates it for pre-anaesthetic medication to reduce excessive salivation and respiratory-tract secretions. This is medicine regulation for an authorized therapeutic product, rather than a narcotics-control schedule designation.
Legal / decriminalized3
IrelandLegal (regulated)Hyoscine (scopolamine) is listed in the First Schedule to the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, which subjects medicinal products containing the substance to prescription control. The Schedule permits limited exceptions from prescription-only supply when its stated conditions are met; products supplied under those exceptions remain subject to pharmacy-supervision requirements. This is a medicines-supply rule and is distinct from Ireland's Misuse of Drugs schedules, which regulate controlled drugs and do not list hyoscine or scopolamine.
South KoreaLegal (regulated)MFDS Integrated Drug Information System product approval for Kimité Patch (Scopolamine)22
Scopolamine is an approved general medicine (일반의약품) in South Korea in the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety record for Kimité Patch. The authorized transdermal product contains 1.50 mg of scopolamine per patch and is indicated for prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness; its manufacture and sale remain subject to the pharmaceutical product-approval system.
ThailandLegal (regulated)Ministerial Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: Dangerous Drugs27
Thailand regulates medicinal scopolamine (hyoscine) as a dangerous drug through the Ministry of Public Health notification on dangerous drugs. The notification places cholinergic-blocking drugs, whether plant-derived or synthetic, including plant alkaloids and their salts, in this medicine-control category, allowing legitimate medical use subject to Thailand's drug-regulatory controls rather than classifying the medicine category as a narcotics schedule.
Not scheduled1
SwitzerlandNot scheduledOrdinance of the FDHA on the Lists of Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances, Precursors and Auxiliary Chemicals (BetmVV-EDI)2526
Scopolamine (hyoscine) is not named in the current lists to the Ordinance of the FDHA on the Lists of Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances, Precursors and Auxiliary Chemicals. It is therefore not scheduled by that narcotics-control instrument, whose lists identify the controlled narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursors and auxiliary chemicals. Medicines are regulated separately: Swissmedic assigns authorised medicinal products to dispensing categories under the Therapeutic Products Act framework, so the absence of a narcotics listing does not authorise the marketing or supply of an unapproved medicinal product.
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Renner UD, Oertel R, & Kirch W. (2005). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in clinical use of scopolamine. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, 27(5), 655-665. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ftd.0000168293.48226.57123
- TRANSDERM SCOP- scopolamine patch, extended release. DailyMed (2024-03-14). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b877a694-a1d0-4280-937a-a06820b12a881234
- Hyoscine 400 micrograms/ml Solution for Injection. (emc) (18 September 2017). https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3581/smpc1
- Visitors to Art of Healing exhibition told how Australian Indigenous bush medicine was given to every allied soldier landing at Normandy on D-Day. kcl.ac.uk (7 June 2019). https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/australian-indigenous-bush-medicine-was-given-to-allied-soldiers-on-d-day12
- Hyoscine hydrobromide (scopolamine) - WHO Electronic Essential Medicines List. World Health Organization (n.d.). https://list.essentialmeds.org/medicines/2811
- Childbirth, Scopolamine and the History of Truth Serum. Nature's Poisons (2014). https://naturespoisons.com/2014/03/06/childbirth-scopolamine-and-the-history-of-truth-serum/1
- Rezeptpflichtverordnung, BGBl. Nr. 475/1973, zuletzt geändert durch BGBl. II Nr. 282/2025. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Bundesnormen/NOR40273195/NOR40273195.html1
- Scopolamine Hydrobromide Injection - Product Information (DIN 02242811). Health Canada Drug Product Database (2008). https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=6663612
- Arzneimittelverschreibungsverordnung, Anlage 1. gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/amvv/anlage_1.html1
- Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 540/2003). irishstatutebook.ie (n.d.). https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2003/si/540/made/en/print1
Further Reading
Article Status
Step 1 · Automated synthesisAn autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.
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Recent changes8 human edits · latest
Times are UTCNewest first
16 August 2026
Lyrea · Edited in History & Culture › Sections 1 › Content
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
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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