Datura and its Hallucenogenic Properties (1033 hits)
Category: Science & EnvironmentalRating: 1.06 on 35 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by S.O.S. (View user info) at 2006-01-23 13:17:01 EST
The purpose of this article is to gather together some of the information on this fascinating family of herbs...
The family of herbs called 'datura' grow commonly in many parts of the world, including much of the United States from New York to Florida, and across the midwest and south to Texas, and are known for their toxic and hallucenogenic properties. They are also prevalent in many parts of Canada.
The most common datura is jimson weed. Sometimes called 'stinkweed', datura plants give off a particular odor and have a foul taste; therefore, animals left to graze will eat nearly everything in the field but the datura. Chances are, if you have ever walked through a pasture, you have seen many many datura plants. They are distinguishable by their smoothe, purplish stems and their horn or bell-shaped flowers. They grow to 3 to 5 feet in height and are of similar girth. Datura are annuals, meaning they grow from the same root system every year, and their seed pods are often prickly, which sometimes gains them the name 'thorn apple'.
This omnipresent herb has well-known, but highly misunderstood, hallucenogenic properties, and has long been a vehicle for Native American shamen to acheive visions and to capture their dreams. The soldiers of Jamestown were reportedly tricked into taking jimson weed, which caused them to rave like madmen for days, peeing themselves and wallowing in their own excrement. Cultures as disparate as the Aztecs to the demonologists and inquisitors of the middle ages have used datura herbs and extracts to evoke hallucenations or poison enemies. In spite of this, usage remains rare in modern society.
The powerful effects of datura intoxication include seeing objects disappear and reappear mysteriously, inability to speak rationally, dilated pupils, being transported or having the illusion of being in an entirely different physical place, talking to people or 'spirits' that aren't really there, delirium, short term memory loss, intense feelings of isolation, confusion, or fear, etc.
Many people who have taken jimson weed - usually by eating a few of the seeds, making tea from its leaves, or eating one of its flowers - report dryness of the mouth, inability to distinguish dream from reality, smoking invisible cigarettes, talking to people they swear are present only to discover moments later they're not, and intense feelings of disorientation. Most modern experimentation occurs in teenagers who are often naive about dosage and fail to secure a sober sitter to prevent accidents, which is important since the users of datura have been known to engage in activities that are harmful to their own well being with no knowledge of what they are doing. Observers report users who have eaten bugs, wallowed in excrement, urinated on themselves, jumped or walked off balconies, slept in ditches, ran into traffic, scraped off their own skin with their fingernails because they saw bugs crawling on them, walked for miles without knowing what they were doing, etc.
All parts of the plants are toxic, and all possess hallucenogenic properties. Great care must be taken in acheiving the correct dosage, as the potency can vary greatly from plant to plant, and the effects of overdose can include coma or death.
Most users take a teaspoon or less of the seeds orally, drink thick tea made from various parts of the plant, smoke crushed seeds with tobacco or marijuana, or ingest the flowers. But many of these users also report frightening and unpleasant experiences, so I assume a conservative dosage would be in order if one were so inclined to experiment with the plant's hallucenogenic properties.
The effects of datura intoxication, according to most reports, usually last between 12 and 72 hours, depending on dosage, and experimentation is rarely repeated a second time due to the often overpowering nature of the trip.
The active alkaloids in datura are hyoscyamine and atropine. Medical uses since the middle ages have included treatment for bed wetting, asthma, gastric catarrh, and eye drops for dilating the pupil.
(This is meant to be an overview of the datura family and its hallucenogenic properties and is not meant as an authoritative study. If you are thinking of trying datura yourself, I recommend more research.)
User Reviews
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-01-24 13:13:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
HA I knew I had that annual vs. perennial thing right.
so there
Submitted by Fungah (user info) at 2006-01-23 17:44:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You forgot near blindness.
One day me and a friend decided: hey, let's eat jimson.
After a restless night talking to, and hiding from people that most assurdely were not really there, I bore hideous witness to the fact that for the next day I couldn't make out fuck all more than a filmy white haze. Don't fuck with the shit.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2006-01-23 17:26:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Got any extract of pineal?
Submitted by MistressFist (user info) at 2006-01-23 17:25:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-01-23 17:11:35 (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll tell you all this, don't ever EVER fuck with jimson weed, seriously, don't touch this shit.
Some dumbass kids took some of this stuff, and then decided to go wander around by themselves in the Mojave Desert a few months ago...jimson weed high + severe dehydration + extreme desert temps = death within hours.
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Some drugs should just be left to Natives and Shamans, who know what they are doing when they are on them. Not the rest of us knuckleheads.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-01-23 17:11:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll tell you all this, don't ever EVER fuck with jimson weed, seriously, don't touch this shit.
Some dumbass kids took some of this stuff, and then decided to go wander around by themselves in the Mojave Desert a few months ago...jimson weed high + severe dehydration + extreme desert temps = death within hours.
Submitted by GuinnessSince1759 (user info) at 2006-01-23 16:43:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
hmm...
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-01-23 15:21:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
ETS was a guy who used to post on here, you sound like him.
I think he killed himself when his parents asked him to move out of their basement.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-01-23 15:18:45 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:58:56 (#)
Ranking: 0
"Yes. For thousands of years people of all races and of all cultures have recognized the hallucenogenic properties of some herbs as gateways for moving in and out of the spirit world. Ancient peoples the world over have sought spiritual guidance through these properties."
For thousands of years people thought the world was flat. They thought the stars were their hereos, and enemies trapped in constellations. Doesn't mean it was true.
"That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Descriptions of the Buddhist Samsara, the Catholic Limbo, and countless other descriptions from religious and secular sources, including studies of near death experiences, are often remarkably similar to descriptions of hallucenogenic or visionary experiences, accounts of severe mental illness, and the like. So, yes, I would assert that the more familiar one becomes to these realms and their peculiarities, the less shocking the transition will be when death comes, because the person will already be privy to some of its inner workings. I could be wrong. We'll see, won't we. ;)"
Ths similarities between near death experiences and most hallucenignic drugs I have heard of is extremely limited. I have never heard of people tripping out and just seeing a bright light, but this isn't my area of expertise.
Even if there are similarities, It has to do with the drugs effect on the mind, not some mystical bridge being crossed.
But let us pretend a little more that you are crossing a magical bridge, in no religion, culture or belief structure I have heard of says that you will be treated better in the afterlife because you have visited it. And tell me exactly what inner workings of the afterlife nayone has ever learned by tripping?
"Like I said, I really can't help that you're a cynic who's life is apparently bland and devoid of magic. That's your problem. Not mine."
My life is far from bland. I have lived in places and seen things you will only read about. I don't need to take up half assed religious/spiritual beliefs about drugs to have fun. If I want to get fucked up, I do it because it is fun, I don't need to make excuses about expanding my awareness to do it.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2006-01-23 15:15:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!
Submitted by Drone_of_Industry (user info) at 2006-01-23 15:11:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
trippy, dude
Submitted by THE_MASKED_MACABRE (user info) at 2006-01-23 15:10:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
ahem... i mean...
EAT OF THE FRUIT OF KNOWLEDGE!
VENTURE TO THE DARKEST TRENCHES OF YOUR SOUL!
RELIEVE THE MASK OF MEDIOCRITY AND BEHOLD THE TRUTH!
IT IS NOT A PRETTY SIGHT!
yeh yeh
Submitted by THE_MASKED_MACABRE (user info) at 2006-01-23 15:07:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I could use some magic, but not in this form. Maybe I'll climb a mountain, see the world, or something like that. More power to you though if you want to try it. Tell us what you find when you get back.
Submitted by evesapple (user info) at 2006-01-23 15:07:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
ETS = Extreme Tripping Shaman?
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:58:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:41:49 (#)
Ranking: -2
"But you will be able to understand what is beneath the surface with drug fueled hallucinations?"
Yes. For thousands of years people of all races and of all cultures have recognized the hallucenogenic properties of some herbs as gateways for moving in and out of the spirit world. Ancient peoples the world over have sought spiritual guidance through these properties.
"You will be prepared for what comes after death because you like to trip out?"
That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Descriptions of the Buddhist Samsara, the Catholic Limbo, and countless other descriptions from religious and secular sources, including studies of near death experiences, are often remarkably similar to descriptions of hallucenogenic or visionary experiences, accounts of severe mental illness, and the like. So, yes, I would assert that the more familiar one becomes to these realms and their peculiarities, the less shocking the transition will be when death comes, because the person will already be privy to some of its inner workings. I could be wrong. We'll see, won't we. ;)
"You are probably one of those people who thinks organized religion is BS, but you think you can understand the world with trippyt new age beliefs and ancient secrets from indigenous peoples of somewhere."
Like I said, I really can't help that you're a cynic who's life is apparently bland and devoid of magic. That's your problem. Not mine.
"Are you ETS?"
What the hell is that?
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:41:49 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:35:52 (#)
Ranking: 0
There is a power beneath the surface of things that people like you, with your cynical worldview, ruled by the purely empirical and tangible, could never possibly understand.
One day you will die, then you will see it...and you will be utterly unprepared for what you find.
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But you will be able to understand what is beneath the surface with drug fueled hallucinations?
You will be prepared for what comes after death because you like to trip out?
You are probably one of those people who thinks organized religion is BS, but you think you can understand the world with trippyt new age beliefs and ancient secrets from indigenous peoples of somewhere.
Are you ETS?
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:35:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:32:03 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:05:27 (#)
Ranking: 0
That being said, I don't see the use of such substances as inherently wrong, especially considering their historical cultural significance, unless it's approached in a disrespectful or wreckless manner, or used solely for thrill-seeking purposes.
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Who uses it for anyhting other then thrill seeking purposes? Are you a shaman? Do you want to talk to your ancestorsa, or spirits? People use it because they want to get fucked up and see weird shit and that is it, there is no deeper signifigance or respectful reason to use it.
-------------------
There is a power beneath the surface of things that people like you, with your cynical worldview, ruled by the purely empirical and tangible, could never possibly understand.
One day you will die, then you will see it...and you will be utterly unprepared for what you find.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:32:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:05:27 (#)
Ranking: 0
That being said, I don't see the use of such substances as inherently wrong, especially considering their historical cultural significance, unless it's approached in a disrespectful or wreckless manner, or used solely for thrill-seeking purposes.
-------------------
Who uses it for anyhting other then thrill seeking purposes? Are you a shaman? Do you want to talk to your ancestorsa, or spirits? People use it because they want to get fucked up and see weird shit and that is it, there is no deeper signifigance or respectful reason to use it.
Submitted by evesapple (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:30:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
interesting.
all i knew previously about this was to simply "DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE IT"
that's all anyone would tell me ;)
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:13:54 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:05:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:47:04 (#)
Ranking: 0
Can you let us know where you live, so when some kid goes into a coma from this we will know it is you.
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This is not unlike many of the other articles you can find around the web. I mention in several spots to use caution if you're thinking of taking the drug and to do further research before doing so.
I am not a believer that the simple sharing of information, particularly when I am merely recounting the experiences and observations of those who have taken the herb, is a harmful thing. That being said, I don't see the use of such substances as inherently wrong, especially considering their historical cultural significance, unless it's approached in a disrespectful or wreckless manner, or used solely for thrill-seeking purposes.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2006-01-23 14:00:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I'll just stick with the 'shrooms.
Submitted by Kale (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:47:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
This stuff grows in the backyard of a friend of a mine... A couple of people were hospitalized because they took much more than they were supposed to. Very Informative.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:47:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Can you let us know where you live, so when some kid goes into a coma from this we will know it is you.
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:45:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I remember a tree waving at me and not being able to read for 2 days. A teaspoon my ass, It was a handful. Oh yes, the good times.
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:37:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:31:39 (#)
Ranking: 1
I thought perennials were the ones that came back from old root systems and annuals grew from seeds.
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You're right. That was my mistake.
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:36:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Unabonger (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:32:00 (#)
Ranking: 0
whatever...you should take some then report about it.
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I'm building up to that.
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:35:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by MistressFist (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:31:21 (#)
Ranking: 2
Have you read Carlos Castenada's books?
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Read the teachings of Don Juan long ago. There are many legends of datura being somehow related to shape shifting and ritual majick, which is a central theme to much Castaneda I've read.
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:33:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Here is some more reading on the history and mythology of datura: http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/Datura.htm
Here are accounts of user experiences (VERY entertaining): http://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Datura.shtml
Submitted by Unabonger (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:32:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
whatever...you should take some then report about it.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:31:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I thought perennials were the ones that came back from old root systems and annuals grew from seeds.
Submitted by MistressFist (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:31:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Have you read Carlos Castenada's books?
Submitted by Ferretnose (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:28:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Interesting. Also, root doctors and hoodoo men use Jimson weed in their ceremonies.
Submitted by seasofseems (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:28:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
By the way, datura are perfectly legal in most areas and are often grown in gardens. Angel's Trumpet are a popular variety with gardeners. If you see the Google ads above, you can even order the seeds through the mail.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:27:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Auto +2 Tori Amos song title
Submitted by simple_catalyst (user info) at 2006-01-23 13:18:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
i see.