Can you believe business cards could be a catalyst for drug exposure? Some would say yes. Stories are circulating of a dangerous chemical known as Devil’s Breath making its way around the world, being blown into the faces of random passersby and soaked into business cards to render unsuspecting tourists incapacitated. The result is a zombie-like state that leaves victims immobile and defenseless. Below is more on the world’s scariest drug, its origins, and what it does to the body.
What Is Devil’s Breath?
The Devil’s Breath drug is derived from a flower of the borrachero shrub, which is common in the Southern American country Colombia. The seeds are powdered and extracted via a chemical process. They contain a chemical similar to scopolamine called burundanga, which is why scopolamine is also frequently referred to as Devil’s Breath. The borrachero shrub has been used for hundreds of years by native South Americans in spiritual and religious rituals.
Currently, not only are Colombia and Ecuador known for Devil’s Breath incidents, but now reports have migrated to the romantic streets of Paris. The compound is said to produce hallucinations, frightening images, and immobility or inability. For this reason, Devil’s Breath is often used to make crimes easier to facilitate, including emptied bank accounts, robbed homes and cars, stolen organs, and rape.
Despite the very real effects of the drug, there’s still some hesitation concerning the intensity of the drug. According to Val Curran, professor of pharmacology at UCL’s Clinical Pharmacology Unit, there’s never a toxicology report linked to Devil’s Breath cases, meaning there’s no way to tell what’s in the drug. Additionally, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has never had any mention of scopolamine being used to facilitate crime.
The substance is also difficult to get a hold of. It’s not a drug that can easily be ordered online or purchased on the streets, mainly because it’s not considered a pleasurable or desirable recreational drug. According to Curran, subjects in her experiments hated taking the drug, as it would cause dry mouth, constricted pupils, and “zonk them out.”
Curran can attest to the fact that Devil’s Breath would make it difficult for a person to defend themselves in certain situations, as it causes severe drowsiness and sedation. It could also make it difficult for the individual to remember anything that happened to them while under the influence of Devil’s Breath. Even so, the professor disagrees with its claims of incapacitation.
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Devil’s Breath Effects
What we know of Devil’s Breath drug effects comes from the medical use of scopolamine and the various claims of victims exposed to the drug. Overall, common Devil’s Breath effects include:
- A rash or red skin
- Agitation
- Blurred vision
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Coma
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Pain or difficulty urinating
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Sore throat
- Sweating
- Trouble speaking
If you’re taking prescription scopolamine, be sure to take it as directed by your doctor to avoid any adverse reactions. When it comes to Devil’s Breath, we not only recommend avoiding drug use altogether, but we also encourage taking safety precautions when traveling.
Although there’s still more to learn about Devil’s Breath, our Lake Worth drug rehab is well aware of the dangers of misusing medications like scopolamine. Unfortunately, some people will attempt to misuse this medication in an attempt to get high.
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in the U.S., especially when it comes to opioids. Our facility has treated numerous people with our opioid addiction treatment and BHOPB detox services to help them regain their health, get sober, and avoid overdose.
If you or someone you know is battling drug or alcohol abuse, don’t wait to get help. Call Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches today at 561-220-3981 to learn more about our addiction treatment in Lake Worth.
Source:
- The Guardian – ‘Devil’s breath’ aka scopolamine: can it really zombify you?
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