Erowid Datura Vault: Basics

PLANTS

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datura

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Datura
Basics
by Erowid

DESCRIPTION #
Datura is a light green annual or biennial shrubby plant that grows from two to five
feet tall (one to three meters). It has hairy leaves, spiny fruit, and vibrant flowers.
The best known species are D. stramonium (Jimson Weed), D. metel, and D. inoxia.
The plants, seeds, flowers, and roots have all been traditionally used for medicinal
or visionary purposes around the world. Dried leaves have been made into smoking
blends, sometimes with in combination with tobacco or cannabis, and all parts have
been used to make teas and ointments. Because datura is plentiful in many parts of
the world, it is sometimes ingested for its psychoactive effects by those who are
unaware that its effects may be dangerous and are generally considered very
unpleasant.
[ Main Datura Vault ]

Dose #

Datura Images
Datura seeds and flowers are usually more potent than the leaves and roots.
Potency increases over the reproductive period and peaks while the plant is
fruiting. As few as 10 datura seeds taken orally or one leaf brewed into a tea can produce profound
perceptual changes, and 30-40 seeds is an extremely potent dose.

Price #
Live datura plants are both common as garden/yard plants as well as being available from most garden
supply and ethnobotanical companies. Prices of live plants vary by species and vendor. Most datura
consumed is from live plants rather than being purchased pre-prepared.

Law #
Datura is currently uncontrolled in the United States, though it has been outlawed for human consumption in
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a few states. Datura appears to be uncontrolled in most other countries as well.

Chemistry #
The main active chemicals present in datura are the tropane alkaloids scopolamine, atropine, and
hyoscyamine.

Pharmacology #
Scopolamine and atropine are anticholinergic deliriants. They block muscarinic receptors, which in turn
excites dopaminergic neurons. They are readily absorbed, partially metabolized by the liver, and mostly
eliminated in urine, with a half-life of about four hours.

Production #
Datura grows wild all over the world, and is commercially cultivated as a source of scopolamine. Many
species are grown ornamentally.

History #
Datura has a long history of medicinal and visionary use in India, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Its use
has been reported in medieval European witchcraft as a "flying ointment".

Terminology / Slang #
The Substance:
The Experience:

Datura; Jimson Weed; Devil's Apple; Thorn Apple; Stinkweed; Devil's Weed; Malpitte;
Moonflower; Toloache (D. inoxia).
No common terms known.

EFFECTS #
The main effects of datura are delirium, extreme disorientation, and realistic hallucinations. Many users report
periods of several hours in which they have no memory of what they were doing. Behavior is often irrational and
accidental injury is a serious risk. Datura also causes physical effects including blurred vision/inability to focus the
eyes (lasting up to several days), dryness of mouth, sedation or excitement, inhibited digestion, and an inability to
perspire.

Onset #
When taken orally, the effects can begin in 20-30 minutes, but may take as long as 2-3 hours to be
noticeable, depending on dose. When smoked, effects may begin in as quickly as 5 minutes.

Duration #
A moderate datura dose lasts 8-12 hours, while strong doses can cause effects lasting for 2-3 days.

Visual Effects #
Unlike the visual effects frequently reported with psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin-containing
mushrooms, datura causes frank hallucinations, meaning that the person cannot distinguish between the
hallucinations and real objects. Elaborate visions and fantasies are common, sometimes including long
conversations with imaginary persons. Smoking phantom cigarettes is often reported, even by non-smokers.

PROBLEMS #
PROBLEMS
The overwhelming majority of datura users describe their experience as very unpleasant and often physically
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dangerous. Users of datura commonly report blurred vision, sometimes lasting for several days. Datura may
cause severe, long-lasting disorientation, confusion, delirium, and hallucinations. Accidents and self-injuries,
sometimes requiring hospitalization, are alarmingly frequent among datura users. Several users of datura have
reported committing crimes such as breaking and entering or assault while under the influence of datura. There
are many reports of serious injury and arrest resulting from datura intoxication, and several deaths have been
attributed to datura use. High doses of datura may be toxic.

Contraindications #
Do not take datura without a sober sitter.
Do not operate heavy machinery. Do not drive.
Do not swim. Avoid bodies of water. At least one drowning has been blamed on datura use.
Do not take datura in situations that may require you to be responsible for yourself or anyone else, or
to be able to answer simple questions about who you are and what you are doing.

Addiction Potential #
Datura is not believed to be physically addicting nor likely to cause psychological dependence. Withdrawal
effects following discontinuation have not been reported.

Long Term Health Problems #

Long Term Health Problems Summary Needed.

Risk of Death #
Datura alkaloids can have toxic effects, including coma or death. 4-5 g of dried Datura stramonium leaves
can contain a lethal dose of alkaloids, while flowers and seeds are considerably more potent.

CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #

Erowid Basics pages are summaries of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, books, websites,
and other resources. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but the field is complex and
constantly changing. Information should always be verified through multiple sources.
About this
Document
[ back to plants ] [ back to datura ] [ back to basics ]
Modified - Feb 10,
2015
Content & design 1995-2015 Erowid.org. Please ask before publicly reproducing.
Created by Erowid - Feb 8, 2007

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