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Scopolamine, also known as hyoscine, is an alkaloid drug obtained from plants of the SolanaceaeAcnistus Anisodus Anthocercis Anthotroche Archiphysalis Althenaea Atropa ( deadly nightshade) Atropanthe Benthamiella Bouchetia Brachistus Browallia Brugmansia ( floripondio) Brunfelsia Calibrachoa Capsicum ( chilli peppers) Cestrum Chamaesaracha Combera family (Nightshade), such as henbane or jimson weed ( Daturasee text Datura is a genus of herb and shrub plants belonging to the Solanaceae. Originally from the American continent, different species now grow throughout the globe. Some of them are now classified under the name Brugmansia commonly called Angel's tru stramonium). It is part of the secondary metabolites of plants.

It is structurally similar to the neurotransmitterA neurotransmitter is a type of molecule that carries signals between neurons (nerve cells) at synapses in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters may be either excitatory ( EPSPs) or inhibitory ( IPSPs). That is, they may foster the initiation of a nerve i acetylcholineThe chemical compound acetylcholine often abbreviated as ACh was the first neurotransmitter to be identified. It is a chemical transmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as in the parasympathetic nervous system in many organisms including hum and acts by blocking the muscarinic acetylcholine receptorAn acetylcholine receptor (abbreviated AChR is an integral membrane protein that responds to the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by opening a pathway in the membrane for the diffusion of ions across the cell membrane. Classification Like oths; it is thus classified as an anticholinergicAn anticholinergic agent is a member of a class of pharmaceutical compounds which serve to reduce the effects mediated by acetylcholine in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Anticholinergics are typically reversible competitive inhi.

In medicine, it is usually used in the form scopolamine hydrobromide. It can be used as a depressant of the central nervous system, though it can cause delirium in the presence of pain, mydriasis (pupillary dilation), and cycloplegia (paralysis of the eye muscles). When combined with morphine, it produces a tranquilized state known as twilight sleep and amnesia. Although originally used in obstetrics it is now considered dangerous.

It is used in ophthalmology to deliberately cause cycloplegia and mydriasis so that certain diagnostic procedures may be performed. It is also used in the treatment of iridocyclitis.

In otolaryngology it has been used to ease the trauma of intubation.

It is also an antiemetic (prevents vomiting), antivertigo (prevents dizziness), and antispasmodic (prevents convulsions). It can be used as a pre- anesthetic sedation, as an antiarrhythmic (preventing irregular heartbeat) during anesthesia, and for the prevention of motion sickness.

The drug is highly toxic and has to be used in minute doses. An overdose can cause delirium, delusions, paralysis, stupor and death.

The use of scopolamine as a truth drug was investigated by various intelligence agencies, including the CIA, during the 50s. It was found that, due to the hallucinogenic side effects of the drug, the truth was prone to distortion, and the project was subsequently abandoned.

Scopolamine is used criminally as a date rape drug and as an aid to robbery, the most common act being the clandestine drugging of a victim's drink. It is preferred because its induces retrograde amnesia, or an inability to recall events prior to its administration. Victims of this crime are often admitted to a hospital in police custody, under the assumption that the patient is experiencing a psychotic episode. A telltale sign is a fever accompanied by a lack of sweat.

In Colombia a plant admixture containing scopolamine called Burundanga has been used shamanically for decades. In recent years its criminal use (as outlined above) has become an epidemic. Approximately fifty percent of emergency room admissions in Bogotá have been attributed to scopolamine poisoning.