The Use of Hyoscyamine as a Hallucinogen and Intoxicant
Abstract
An 18-year-old man with staggering gait, dilated pupils, a temperature of 100.2, and a pulse of 100, who was grossly confused, disoriented to time, place, and person, and who appeared to be hallucinating, was admitted to the hospital. These signs and symptoms were absent 24 hours later, at which time he gave a history of the periodic ingestion of Asthmador for the sensations derived therefrom. He stated that several of his acquaintances also used Asthmador for such purposes. Asthmador is a nonprescription mixture of belladonna and stramonium (hyoscyamine is the active agent in both) that is meant to be burned and the smoke inhaled to relieve bronchial asthma.
The use of vegetable material containing hyoscyamine is of interest as similar preparations have been used as intoxicants and for mystic and religious purposes in many cultures and periods of the history of Western culture. The patient's clinical picture, that of hyoscyamine intoxication, is difficult to diagnose if not suspected.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).