Devil’s Breath: Drug That Takes Your Free Will

by AdamS on October 2, 2012

You may have heard horror stories about people waking up with missing organs, evidence of rape, or with all of their belongings missing from their home and their bank accounts completely wiped clean. The most frightening aspect of these instances is when the victims cannot remember a thing; not when they were taken advantage of, or who took advantage of them. The substance used to carry out these heinous acts is called Scopolamine, but the more appropriate street name given to it is “Devil’s Breath.” If victims are not killed by overdose, they often suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Where Devil’s Breath Comes From

Scopolamine is the drug in it’s tasteless, odorless and powder form. It is derived from the Borrachero tree that is found most commonly in South America. It looks like the sort of tree that you wouldn’t mind having in your backyard or garden with its white blossomed flowers and enticing smell. But when natives named this sinister tree, they were not ignorant to its inebriating potential; it’s name translating to “get-you-drunk.” The substance can be manufactured from the flowers, root, and also the fruit that is like a small coconut.

What Are The Effects?

Only a small amount of this substance is needed to start feeling its hypnotic effects. Predators that use this drug only need to get the victim to sniff a miniscule amount and within seconds they have them at their mercy. With their free will blocked, the victim will do whatever is asked of them; often times giving their predator money and expensive belongings. People can sometimes slip into hallucinations with no recollection of events that took place while they were under the influence. Death can also result by overdosing on Devil’s Breath.

Medicinal Purposes

On the less sinister side of the substance, scopolamine has medicinal functions. Because of its alkaloid molecular makeup, scopolamine has been used by doctors to treat stomach and intestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome. It has also been used to help eliminate nausea, vomiting, motion sickness and morning sickness for pregnant woman. Often times, health care professionals will prescribe it in the form of a patch that is to be placed on the skin where it is then absorbed into the bloodstream. It works to suppress the nerve fibers within the inner ear that are responsible for causing nausea symptoms.

There are not many cases where people are addicted to this substance to the point of needing addiction treatment because it is rarely used for recreational purposes. Although people have tried to take it for its hallucinogenic effects, the outcomes are typically unpleasant. While scopolamine does have beneficial uses in the medical realm, it continues to be used for criminal activity. It is most prevalent in Colombia and has yet to make many notable appearances in the United States. However, this should serve as a warning to individuals that are traveling alone, or are in places that make them vulnerable to being taken advantage of.

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